HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Mike D'Antoni gave his team Thursday off after it finished its Western Conference first round series against the Utah Jazz in five games Wednesday night. Following a Friday film session, the team practiced inside Toyota Center, after which it boarded a plane for the Bay Area to play a game that might not even take place.
"It's a little odd," D'Antoni admitted Friday. "I guess everyone understands the reasoning. The schedule is what it is and try to take advantage of what we can, but we'll just see what happens. It's not a big deal one way or another."
The Rockets know they're in the Western Conference Semifinals, but they don't know where they'll play, when they'll play, or who they'll play.
We're just going up there (Friday) cause we've got a game at noon (Sunday), maybe, and if we do, we're ready, and if not, so be it, we're just waiting," D'Antoni said.
If the Warriors close out their first round series against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night, the Rockets and Warriors will begin their series Saturday afternoon. If the Clippers win Friday, the Rockets will stay in San Francisco and wait out Sunday's game seven. If the Clippers pull off the upset, the Rockets will travel home for game one Tuesday night.
"Clippers are unbelievable," D'Antoni said. "They've got a real legitimate shot. The pick & roll between Montrezl (Harrell) and Lou Williams is maybe the best ever in what the production is right now, so they've got some players, and Pat Beverley we know how he can be, he's a winner. It will be an interesting game tonight. It will be a great game."
If the Clippers are able to force a game seven don't expect D'Antoni to be one of the 20,000 people in the stands Sunday.
"I've been to Oracle (Arena) enough. I've been there."
Though, if Rockets center Clint Capela is correct, a game seven won't be neccesary.
"Oh, I'm going to watch (game six), definitely. It's going to be interesting, but I think the Warriors are going to win."
