I cannot draw a direct line between the Rockets smoking Oklahoma City in Game 5 and the return of Russell Westbrook.
I can, however, point out the obvious.
The Rockets attacked on Saturday night. They refused to settle inside the NBA’s Florida bubble. They led by 13 early, allowed Chris Paul’s team to even the score, then led by 20 when the contest was supposed to tighten.
Basically, Game 5 was everything that Games 3 and 4 were not.
Even when the Rockets were shooting 30.8 percent (8-of-26) on 3-pointers, they still held a 17-point advantage midway through the third quarter.
Even with the Rockets’ bench combining for just seven points as the midpoint of that period approached, the overall team played with intensity, precision and passion.
On second thought: I can easily draw a direct line between the Rockets smoking OKC in Game 5 and the return of Westbrook.
No. 0 only shot 3-of-13 from the floor in 24 often rusty minutes and totaled just seven points. He was rarely a one-man offensive weapon, and the fifth game of this first-round series belonged to James Harden, who scored a game-high 31 points on highly efficient 11-of-15 shooting in a 114-80 victory that gave the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed a 3-2 series lead.
But the Rockets were a different team Saturday after a five-day layoff. And it’s not a coincidence that they rediscovered their full-court fire with their second-best player back in uniform.
“It just gives us some energy. He speeds up the game,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s going to get better the more times he goes out and plays. I knew he was going to be a little rusty, but he gave us a nice little spurt to start the game. I thought he played great.”
I had the Rockets in six when this series started. Even with two blown victories — and two huge OKC comebacks — the 2019-20 Rockets are still in control.
Rockets 3-2 with Westbrook only playing one game?
The Rockets leading by 24 early in the fourth quarter with Westbrook working his way back into game shape?
Heck yeah, Harden’s team will take that.
Which is why the NBA’s best scorer referred to Westbrook’s return as “extraordinary.”
“Just the rhythm that (Westbrook) gives us, the speed,” D’Antoni said. “And then James doesn’t have to make every play. Russell was really hitting guys early and getting good shots. We didn’t make a lot of them, but we were getting good shots and he was creating really well. A guy of that stature, it’s going to be important. We missed him the first four games. Now we’ve got him and see what we can do.”
Westbrook’s shot never arrived on Saturday night. Pull-up jumpers fell short and clanked iron. He had made just three field goals by the time his squad led 91-67.
But the game was smoother for Harden. The court was wide open for the Rockets. Lu Dort literally returned to earth, shooting an abysmal 3-of-16 — no wonder OKC barely remained on the court — while Harden kept getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
Then there were other numbers for Westbrook: seven assists, six rebounds (two offensive), one steal.
These Rockets are only themselves when Nos. 13 and 0 are leading their team at the same time.
“You get Russell back and it gives you a shot of adrenaline,” D’Antoni said.
It’s been an evolving balance all season for the Rockets, clicking at the same time that Harden and Westbrook are clicking together.
First, The Beard carried this season’s version of Houston’s NBA team. Then it was Westbrook’s turn. Then Westbrook started controlling the hardwood at a level unseen since his 2016-17 MVP campaign, while Harden’s game hit an odd midseason wall. Then the leaders finally clicked on the court at the same time. Then the coronavirus pandemic paused the season for almost five months.
Would Westbrook return to the court before the first round was over?
That was a serious question before Game 3. After Paul’s team stole Game 4 117-114, it became mission critical.
From 2-0 Rockets in the series, in full control, to 2-2 with the better team underperforming and letting itself down.
The No. 1 seed Los Angeles Lakers had a shot Saturday night to move on to the second round. The Rockets were simply trying to rediscover their attack, reclaim consistency and find an edge against the Thunder.
Westbrook’s shot will return. His edge and pride never disappear.
“That’s part of my job,” said Westbrook, referring to his visible sideline cheering and coaching role in Games 1-4. “If I’m not playing I get to find ways to impact the team through leadership, and that’s something that I take pride in every day, as far as finding ways to be able to lift guys up, continue to bring positive energy.”
The Rockets were a different team in Game 5.
Because the player they can’t win without was running the hardwood again.
brian.smith@chron.com
twitter.com/chronbriansmith
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