Chapter 45: The Three-Point Team

"We beat the Mavericks, yes, but that was unexpected. They didn't anticipate our moves. Next time, they'll have studied us better. And as the season goes on, opponents will dig deeper into our strategies. If they start cutting off Yao's passing lanes and we don't have reliable three-point shooters on the perimeter, our offense could fall apart," Andrew said, his voice steady but urgent.

Thibodeau sat in silence for a moment, absorbing Andrew's words.

"This is exactly what I said during the assistant coach interview," Andrew continued, leaning forward. "We need dominance inside, but we also need consistent shooting outside. The combination of these is what'll give us a chance to truly compete with the Suns, Spurs, and Pistons throughout the series. That's why I want to start with this in our next game against the Warriors. Their defense is weak—it's the perfect testing ground."

Thibodeau nodded, though there was still a shadow of doubt on his face.

Andrew knew this conversation couldn't change everything. Some things needed to be proven on the court. So, he sent Thibodeau off to prepare without saying more.

That evening, the Toyota Center was packed. Fans from all over the globe tuned in, eager to witness the much-anticipated face-off. The Rockets' previous win over the Mavericks had fans buzzing, and with the Warriors in town, everyone was ready for a high-scoring game.

Scoring was what both teams lived for, and it was what the fans loved the most.

The Warriors were sitting in 9th place in the West with a 9-10 record. They were fighting for a playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference, meaning every game was critical for them. They were averaging 106 points per game, second only to the Mavericks, so offense was their strength.

Before the game, Byron Davis, the Warriors' bearded star, confidently stated in an interview, "We'll beat the Rockets with our offense and our three-pointers." His boldness was backed by the fact that the Warriors led the league in three-point attempts, firing off 24 shots per game and hitting nearly 10, with an impressive 40% success rate.

The crowd roared as the game tipped off. The Rockets' starting five remained unchanged. On the Warriors' side, Davis and Monta Ellis manned the backcourt, Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy filled the wings, and Andris Biedrins held down the center spot. Except for their center, this team was packed with three-point shooters.

Andrew watched calmly from the bench, though inside he was already strategizing. The Warriors of today weren't quite the legendary "We Believe" team, missing the likes of Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington. But they were still dangerous, and Andrew saw this game as the perfect opportunity to test his theories.

Beside him, Thibodeau looked concerned while Cole was practically itching to see the game unfold.

"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle, and the game was underway. The cheers from the crowd were deafening as Biedrins won the tip, sending the ball back to the Warriors' half.

Davis wasted no time, dribbling up the court and calling for a pick-and-roll with Murphy. Millsap was a step slow on the switch, and Davis, with his hot hand, let a three-pointer fly.

Swish!

The ball ripped through the net.

"This is the Warriors' game plan—get shots up fast. They're not concerned about using the full shot clock; they just need a look, and they'll take it," Reggie Miller commented from the broadcast booth.

"Davis said they'd beat the Rockets with the three-ball. Looks like he wasn't kidding," Mike Breen chimed in with a grin.

Alston brought the ball up for the Rockets, swinging it to Yao Ming in the post. As the defense collapsed on him, Yao calmly passed it out to Millsap beyond the arc. Richardson rushed out to contest, and Millsap quickly dished it to Shane Battier in the corner. Without hesitation, Battier launched a three.

Swish!

The crowd erupted.

The Warriors responded just as quickly. Davis drove into the lane, collapsing the defense, then kicked it out to Richardson, who fired a contested three over Battier.

Swish!

The arena buzzed as the Warriors' hot shooting streak continued. Davis was orchestrating the offense like a maestro, and his team was feeding off his energy.

On the next possession, the Rockets executed a similar play, but this time the ball found its way to McGrady. Known for his breathtaking ability to pull up over defenders, McGrady faced off against Murphy. Instead of taking the first shot, McGrady faked, sidestepped, and launched a smooth three-pointer over the outstretched arms of the defender.

Swish!

The ball sailed through the hoop, sending the fans into a frenzy. The three-point shootout was officially on.

But Andrew wasn't just watching the scoring—he was plotting. As the Warriors brought the ball up again, he rose from his seat, signaling his players to switch to a 2-3 zone defense.

The 2-3 zone was designed to put pressure on the perimeter while protecting the paint. Andrew knew the Warriors lived and died by their three-point shooting, so he wasn't about to let them fire away without a fight.

He was about to force the Warriors to beat them in a way they weren't used to.

The Rockets executed the defense perfectly, smothering the Warriors' shooters and daring them to drive. Davis, visibly frustrated, passed out of a double team, but the ball was tipped, and the Rockets seized the opportunity to push the pace.

Andrew's tactical adjustments were working. The Rockets were playing with precision, shutting down the Warriors' primary weapon. The pace of the game was relentless, and the scoreboard lit up with three-pointers raining from both sides, but Andrew's coaching was starting to shine through.

As the final buzzer approached, the Rockets pulled ahead, their offense clicking in perfect harmony while the Warriors struggled to find answers.

Andrew's gamble on the three-point game was paying off. The Rockets weren't just a team with a strong inside presence anymore—they had become a deadly force from beyond the arc.

With a triumphant smile, Andrew knew that this game was only the beginning. The league wasn't ready for the Rockets' new three-point barrage.