Udoka: Warriors series getting chippy works in Rockets' favor - ESPN

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets' 109-94 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs Wednesday featured a total of six technical fouls, a flagrant 1, minor scuffles and multiple «F--- you, Draymond!» chants at Toyota Center.

In other words, coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets felt right at home.

«If it gets chippy, we've seen over the last two years that's worked in our favor for the most part, gets us amped up,» Udoka said. «But when you have a lead, [and you're] up 20, and things start to happen, you understand why. That's kind of the last resort by teams. You've got to keep your composure at that point and just stay calm.»

A Fred VanVleet steal led to a Jalen Green layup with 5:23 remaining that gave the Rockets a 19-point lead. In the immediate aftermath, VanVleet and Draymond Green stood toe to toe jawing near the Rockets bench. As the conversation escalated, players from both sides gathered and pushed and shoved in a scrum while Warriors officials worked to separate Green from the crowd.

Green downplayed the incident, saying he and VanVleet were «just talking» and «everybody came and surrounded and started pushing.»

As Green started to head for Golden State's bench, officials assessed Tari Eason a technical foul for a hostile act, after the Rockets forward threw a towel during the scuffle.

«I'd say my emotions just got the best of me,» Eason said. «In between the lines, you've just got to keep it basketball. I'm going to just be better for my team moving forward in controlling my emotions. I know that with some of the guys they have over there, their thing is to kind of try to beat you mentally. If you know basketball, basketball is 90% mental.»

Rockets fans