How James Harden reacted to falling behind 0-2 against the Detroit Pistons
How James Harden reacted to falling behind 0-2 against the Detroit Pistons
Game 2: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Reporter: What were the biggest breakdowns tonight?
Harden: “I think we won a possession game. We just didn’t make shots, you know. We had opportunities in this three-point game. We gave up offensive rebounds, eight of them or three, so… you know, we had plenty of chances.”
Reporter: What did you make of that offensive rhythm?
Harden: “It was good at some points of the game. Some points we were a little slower, um, you know, which they capitalized off of. So it’s gotta be much faster consistently.”
Reporter: I’m sure you guys are ready to play at home since the road’s been a struggle. But what do you tell the team right now when they’re down 0-2?
Harden: “I mean, it is 0-2. They did what they did at home. So we get an opportunity to go home and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Adjustments and Execution
Reporter: Biggest thing you need to correct before you head home?
Harden: “I think our defense was pretty solid, just rebounding the basketball. Second half we did a better job of not turning the basketball over. Just make some shots.”
Reporter: This has been the second straight game where you put ’em into clutch situations as a team, yep, and then they won the clutch ten minutes. What are you seeing in those moments?
Harden: “Offensive rebound, you know, just small things. It’s not really like a lot… I think we’re getting good shots, but just, you know, things that we can control. If we get a rebound, give ourselves a chance to score a basket, you know, score a basket and either tie the game or cut it to one-point game. So it’s not a huge margin, you know what I mean? Like our errors are small, you know. Limit turnovers, rebound the basketball, and that would be fine.”
Reporter: Offensively, what do you think you guys found in the second half? Seemed like there was more of a flow.
Harden: “Yeah, just moving the basketball, making easy passes, simplifying things.”
Individual Performance
Reporter: You were 3-for-13 for yourself tonight. How did it feel out there? Were you sort of in these struggles today?
Harden: “Just missing shots. I only took two shots [in the second half], but I think the ball was moving and we were getting better shots. So just picking and choosing my spots, figuring out what works and doesn’t work for our team.”
Reporter: You kind of took it on themselves saying like that, you know, they could… the ball is moving, you got two shots in the second half. Did you feel like you should have been more aggressive kind of looking back on it?
Harden: “I mean, it’s a team game. So if the ball is moving and we’re getting good shots, you know, then that’s for the betterment of the team, you know what I mean? So just thinking about the best thing for us, getting really, really good shots. And, you know, finding a combination of, you know, when to be aggressive and when to get team shots.”
Reporter: They got up a lot of big, long defenders and try to wall off the paint. Just how difficult a challenge for you trying to, is this playoffs?
Harden: “You know what I mean? So I don’t think necessarily it’s just difficult. No matter what, you know what I mean? Like we faced that last series as well, you know what I mean? So it’s just making the right play. Once we get in the paint or even before we get to the paint, and simplifying the game and create a domino effect.”
Reporter: Do you take any positives from these two games?
Harden: “Yeah. You know, we had chances both games in the fourth quarter to tie the game up or have the lead. Small things like that. The margin, like I just said, isn’t very… you know, isn’t a large margin. We take care of things we control — rebounding and do the things that are necessary — and, you know, we should be in good hands.”
Reporter (last question): Pace in the second half was one of the keys for offensive success. How important is it to not only continue that through the game but maybe start the game faster again?
Harden: “Our pace or spacing on the floor has been… the first two halves it’s been like, you know, really tight. We haven’t really given each other space to operate. So that was… that is being key, the most important thing. Like they are a good defensive team, but if our spacing isn’t right, they’re even better. So just give each other space, which I think we did a better job in the second half, and just be aggressive.”
Harden: “Thank you.”
