NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets

#3 Coach D'Antoni's work on the Rockets defense is paying dividends

The Rockets are not amongst the better defensive teams

Averaging 8.5 per game this season as a team, Houston racked up 11 steals against Toronto in this road win. They managed to draw 26 points out of the Raptors' 13 turnovers in the game. In contrast, no Raptor except Leonard had a single steal.

The Rockets outscored their opposition 23-7 in terms of fast-break points.

"We locked back in," Harden said. "Our second unit did an unbelievable job of getting stops and creating opportunities on offense, and that was the game."

Backup power forward Gary Clark provided a pivotal spark on the defensive end, pulling a couple of steals and blocks in his 11 minutes off the bench. Chris Paul and James Harden combined for 5 steals in a game where their team committed 23 fouls.

Hosting a defensive rating which is 25th in the league, this win was surely a defensive paradise for the skyrocketing Houston squad.