Rockets 2-center lineup, explained: How Steven Adams, Alperen Sengun duo makes Houston a playoff threat
In a bold strategic move, the Houston Rockets have employed a two-center lineup featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, proving to be a formidable challenge for the Golden State Warriors in their playoff series. This configuration has allowed the Rockets to achieve a remarkable 46.3 percent offensive rebound rate, significantly increasing their scoring opportunities by retaining nearly half of their missed shots. Steven Adams, known for his rebounding prowess, has been a standout performer with a +53 plus-minus, further enhancing the team's effectiveness with his ability to dominate the boards. The Warriors, in response, plan to play Kevon Looney more in an attempt to counter Houston's rebounding advantage in the upcoming Game 7. This innovative approach by the Rockets has brought them to the brink of completing a comeback from a 3-1 deficit, highlighting the impact of strategic lineup configurations in modern basketball.
The Houston Rockets have implemented a two-center lineup strategy, combining the talents of Alperen Sengun and veteran Steven Adams, to challenge the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs.
This lineup has enabled the Rockets to maintain a 46.3 percent offensive rebound rate, allowing them to retain nearly half of their missed shots and gain additional scoring opportunities.
Steven Adams has excelled in his role, achieving a +53 plus-minus rating, which underscores his significant contribution to the team's success through his rebounding skills.
The Warriors, recognizing the threat posed by the Rockets' rebounding, plan to counter this advantage by increasing Kevon Looney's playing time in Game 7.
The Rockets' innovative use of a two-center lineup demonstrates the evolving strategies in basketball, where maintaining possession through offensive rebounds can be as crucial as spacing and shooting.
Adams has garnered attention for his rebounding ability, earning nicknames like 'Baron of the Boards' and consistently demonstrating his skill during pregame warmups.
The strategic adjustments by the Rockets have positioned them for a potential historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, showcasing the critical role of tactical lineup decisions in playoff success.
In the modern NBA, you're more likely to see no centers on the court than two centers on the floor for the same team.
Enter the Houston Rockets. They've pushed the Golden State Warriors to the brink by using such a configuration, in their case combining rising star Alperen Sengun with burly veteran Steven Adams.
Together, they've helped force a Game 7. And unless the Warriors find an answer, Houston might complete a comeback from down 3-1 to advance.
Here's how it all works:
Rockets 2-center lineup, explained
The Houston Rockets usually start Sengun at center and bring Adams off the bench. Amen Thompson starts at the power forward spot.
For most of the regular season, Adams would only play when Sengun would sit.
But now in the playoffs, coach Ime Udoka has spent time with both big fellas on the court at once.
Adams himself has been a star. He's a +53 in plus-minus.
But you put them together and Golden State can't buy a rebound.
Lineups with Adams and Sengun on the floor have a 46.3 percent offensive rebound rate in the series. That means that nearly half of Houston's misses are retained by the Rockets in those lineup constructions.
That's a recipe for success. It mitigates some of the limited spacing created by an Adams/Sengun combo and instead just gives the Rockets more chances of scoring in a single possession.
The Warriors said they'll play Kevon Looney more in Game 7 to counter it, but that's about the only card they have left to play.
MORE: Jarrett Allen owes his spot in Cleveland to the Indiana Pacers
What did Steven Adams say about offensive rebounds?
The big New Zealander delivered a legendary quote earlier in the season about grabbing offensive rebounds.
Adams looked down at the stat sheet in early May and saw he had grabbed a trio of offensive boards in that night's game.
"I only got three offensive rebounds," Adams said to himself. "That sucks."
Some in the NBA have taken to calling Adams the Baron of the Boards. In pregame warmups, he spends ample time just tipping the ball to himself off the board and off the rim to flex his rebounding muscles.
It has paid off in droves in this playoff series.