How the Rockets Stopped LeBron James

Cleveland has arguably the best team in the NBA. The Cavs rank third in offensive efficiency (a fact often overlooked because their slow pace reduces the number of possessions, and thus points, in a game) second in defensive efficiency, and first in efficiency differential, arguably the best single measure of team performance.

They also have LeBron James, by almost any measure the best player in basketball today, and one of the best to ever live.

Last night, however, the Houston Rockets - a well constructed team with a great defense that ranks fifth in the league in defensive efficiency - throttled the Cavs 93-74, and frustrated LeBron James all night. In his 34 minutes of playing time he shot only 7-21 from the field, was held to 6 free throw attempts, and, for the first time in his career, had no assists.

How did they do it? Kevin Arnovitz of TrueHoop explores this in painstaking detail. Remember, hoop heads, defense, while often overlooked, is half the game.