Do the Rockets have reason to believe this after defeating the Lakers in Game 4?

HOUSTON — To accomplish something that had never been done before – recovering from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs – Rockets coach Ime Udoka had to attempt the impossible by calling on teams that hadn’t played more than a few seconds before Game 4.

Udoka was excited about the prospect of playing small for weeks before the playoffs — and teased the idea from time to time — his passion for strategy being Houston’s worst-kept secret. The potential for speed, change, versatility and chaos as a game changer surpassed the ability to predict the future.

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The Rockets’ desperation naturally played a role in Sunday night’s brawl; the sheer pride, ego and confidence displayed for months would not have gone so easily into the night without some resistance. But in a first-round series decided by well-timed moves and adjustments, Udoka’s latest trick delayed a dance with disaster, reinvigorating a group not ready to call it quits on its season.

“The change was good for us,” Udoka said after Houston’s 115-96 win. “We like the little one [ball] and the fact that some guys are out – obviously Kevin [Durant] – we can activate Dorian [Finney-Smith] and some guys, so there will be lineups that we haven’t seen as much of. Everyone who came in gave their contribution, the defensive intensity was excellent, the concentration was good and this is the result you get, keeping them under 100.”

Houston’s small ball, with at least four defenders on the court at any time who can change any matchup, slowed down the game for a Lakers team that had found success by chasing and exploiting matchups in this series. Game 4 was always going to be a mud wrestling match – this match was already running at the second-lowest pace in the league – but the uglier the game got, the slower it got and the longer it lasted, with luck favoring the ferocious. The Lakers have scored just 84.7 points per 100 half-court plays, which ranks in the 16th percentile of all playoff games to date, were miserable from deep (5-of-22) and turned the ball over on 25.6% of offensive possessions, the worst of the postseason.

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The thinking is simple: small balls breed change, and change breeds stagnation. During the regular season, the Lakers scored just 0.97 points per chance against opponent switches, according to Synergy’s tracking data — a workable number and a noteworthy gamble for a Rockets team desperate to leave the casino with something. Houston is not a heavily shifting group by nature, a byproduct of Alperen Şengün and Reed Sheppard’s playing, which comes with hesitation.

However, the Rockets had managed to find success when Done changeup, allowing 0.946 points per chance, just outside the top 10. These calculations work against even a player as exceptional as LeBron James, who shoots about 36% from 3 on five attempts per game. Houston starts possession down with Finney-Smith on James, who motions for Deandre Ayton to screen for Jabari Smith Jr., a perceived mismatch. Notice how quickly Houston lines up to switch and extend, ensuring James’ potential driving lane is tracked and he only has a chance to launch a deep 3-pointer.

As for James, the most notable player at the top of the scouts’ report, the ball played a major role in keeping him off-balance, rushing his game and causing errors. LeBron struggled mightily in Game 4, finishing the night with 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting along with a game-high 8 turnovers — his second straight game with that many coughs. Smith, who anchored Houston’s small lineups as a multi-faceted stretch center, schooled his teammates on the tasks ahead. In the blink of an eye, Smith was able to line up his feet with James’ dribble, angle his body toward the ever-eager Tari Eason, who is simply there to explode the play. Udoka praised Eason’s ability to assert himself defensively, citing his uncanny instincts and timing.

“It’s tough,” Smith said. “It’s not easy. We try to help each other. We all put our hats on the defensive. Me, Tari and Amen [Thompson] try to set the tone for starting the game. Try to anchor the defense, be in the right place, be explicit and also focus on the mental side. We have to improve mentally, knowing who to close, who to distance ourselves from and knowing where to be. And I think we did that tonight.

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That’s exactly where the Lakers could continue to struggle, even if they return home for a final Game 5 As the Rockets prepare when they get really small. (Lineups that didn’t feature a center in Game 4 were plus-16 in 19 possessions.) The lack of a traditional center puts more emphasis on perimeter responsibility, further pushing Houston’s defensive shell. Think of the shell as the total surface area that connects each individual player’s feet to the ground. The closer they are, the more compact the shell will be and vice versa.

Being further away and closer to opponents allows for greater aggression, particularly in the passing lanes, where the Rockets rank first among playoff teams with 91 deflections. Houston also set a franchise record for steals in Game 4 with 17, with Smith and Eason combining for 8. Smith’s presence, experience as a small ball center and physicality continue to be extremely useful tools for Udoka as the Rockets extend the series.

“We’ve played them four times now, so you kind of know the guys’ tendencies,” Smith said. “You know some sets they organize. I’m just trying to use my voice as much as possible to help people stay in places, fly around and help. Try to stop what they’re doing.”