Udoka: Chippy series works in Rockets' favor

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors combined for six technical fouls, one flagrant-1 foul, and a few skirmishes in Game 2 of their opening-round series, and head coach Ime Udoka believes that level of intensity is right up his team's alley.

"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 told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Michael C. Wright.

"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."

Tempers flared between both clubs down the stretch of Wednesday's contest.

Rockets guard Jalen Green was assessed a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing Warriors forward Draymond Green, who then had some words for the young star.

Draymond was given a technical foul less than a minute later for shoving Houston center Alperen Sengun from behind, and he was later at the center of attention once again, standing face-to-face with Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet as they exchanged words. Players and coaches had to step in and separate Draymond and VanVleet as the conversation escalated further.

As cooler heads began to prevail, Houston forward Tari Eason earned himself a technical foul for throwing a towel at Golden State rookie Pat Spencer.

Udoka found that the series of chippy events was a good teaching moment for his young squad.

"It's good for us," Udoka said. "It's who we kind of are, minus the towel throw. You'd like to keep your composure at that point. I told Tari that. He's not even in the game, so he shouldn't be over there.

"But it's what we've built ourselves on, the identity, and everybody's bought into that. It makes us who we are. So, I think our guys all kind of thrive on that. We've just got to keep our composure, especially when you've got a lead."

The series now shifts to San Francisco tied at one game apiece.