http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-striving-to-be-the-best-team-on-both-12422938.php
Rockets striving to be the best team on both offense and defense
Published 6:35 pm, Monday, December 11, 2017
Houston Rockets guard James Harden reacts after scoring during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Harden scored 48 points as the Rockets won 124-117. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden reacts after scoring during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Harden scored 48
... morePortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, steals the ball from Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets won 124-117. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessPortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, steals the ball from Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets
... morePortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard drives to the basket on Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets won 124-117. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessPortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard drives to the basket on Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets won
... morePortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard hits a shot over Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets won 124-117. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessPortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard hits a shot over Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The Rockets won
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP
... morePortland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard and Houston Rockets guard James Harden tie each other up, resulting in a jump ball call during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessPortland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard and Houston Rockets guard James Harden tie each other up, resulting in a jump ball call during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday,
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul is called for a foul after knocking down Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul is called for a foul after knocking down Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.
... moreHouston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Having returned to Houston for a seven-game home stand with the NBA's best record, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said the upcoming schedule would not necessarily teach the Rockets anything they have not already learned about themselves. That much had been accomplished, he said, with the 20-4 start.
"I don't think we're going to learn anything," D'Antoni said. "I think at the end, it is either confirmed or we didn't do it tonight. I think we learned everything we need to learn about our guys. They're in a pretty good spot."
He said he is most proud of the commitment defensively, with the Rockets second in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating going into Monday's game, and with the top-rated offense and defense during the nine-game winning streak.
"For us to win, to know that's what we have to win on, our defense," D'Antoni said. "It seems weird because we average so many points, but we know if we hold teams under 100, we're not going to lose. We have a goal and they take pride in it. I think the three guys we brought in (Chris Paul, Luc Mbah a Moute and P.J. Tucker) are defensive-minded guys first. They help with the overall concentration and overall theme of the team.
"We still have some work to do. We still can get better. We kept saying that we want to be in the top 10. Then we want to be in the top five. Actually, we really want to be best in both. That would give us a heck of a chance to win. That's what Golden State does. They've been best in both. We want to be best in both."
