Rockets demonstrate 1 trait that should scare Warriors even in loss

The NBA playoffs have a different atmosphere. Fans of the Houston Rockets are getting sentimental.

They haven't felt this way in a while.

The intensity is palpable. In a regular-season game, a 20-point deficit can be deflating. You can't afford to take your foot off the gas in the postseason. The stakes in a playoff game are ubiquitous. Even setting a tone for the series and losing by 10 instead of 20 is better than conceding.

The Rockets did just that.

It could have been worse. At one point, the Rockets were down by 23. They fought back, even whittling the lead to 3, but ultimately succumbed to a 95-85 loss.

What happened along the way?

Rockets struggle in the half-court

Unsurprisingly, the Rockets had trouble scoring in half-court sets.

Alperen Sengun did what he could. He had 26 points 11/18 shooting from the field. His teammates didn't give him enough help.

It feels cruel to single Jalen Green out, but his poor performance can't be ignored. Green finished with 7 points on 3/14 shooting from the field. He wasn't able to penetrate a Warriors defense that looked especially active.

Tari Eason was critical during a tremendous third-quarter comeback, but he finished with a modest 6 points and 4 rebounds (although he did have two steals). Amen Thompson started orchestrating the offense down the stretch, but he had just 8 points on 4/9 shooting. Thompson added 9 boards and 6 assists, but he was largely ineffective on offense.

That was the story of the night for Houston. Some players were helpful, but they weren't able to give enough. Nobody could assist Sengun enough to mitigate a potent offensive display from Steph Curry (31 points on 12/19 shooting) and Jimmy Butler (25 points, 10/19 shooting).

Rockets fans should still take some pride in what they saw.

Rockets showcase tenacity

The Rockets did not quit on this game for a second.

That counts for a lot. It's worth remembering how young and inexperienced much of this team is. This was several of Houston's key players' first playoff game.

Perhaps that will cost them throughout the series. The Warriors have a massive experience advantage. Still, we can say this much:

The Rockets did not quit on this game for a second.

Don't expect them to, either. The Rockets are younger and hungrier, and they'll try to beat the Warriors into submission in Game 2.

If nothing else, the atmosphere in the Toyota Center should be electrifying.