Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni bemoans team’s mental edge as playoffs near

After the team posted its lowest point total in two seasons in Sunday's 100-83 loss to the Spurs, the Rockets coach said the focus will be on re-establishing rhythm rather than resting.

"We just didn't bring it. We just weren't sharp," D'Antoni said, via ESPN. "We haven't been sharp now for about three or four games. It hasn't just been one or two days. That's scary when you rest guys.

"That's why at the end of the year, you've got to be careful taking guys out and just resting them. Everybody wants rest, rest, rest. Well, they've got to play. Otherwise, we're going to lose the advantage of what you worked for for 80 games, and it's scary times for us. You've got to play. You've got to bring it, and you've got to bring it every day. We'll get it back."

Rockets point guard James Harden, who is experiencing a slump of his own as he averages his fewest minutes per game since joining the team in 2012, admitted he may need to take some time to rest as the regular season nears an end but is confident D’Antoni will keep his mentality strong as the regular season winds down to its April 11 finish.

"We've coasted these last few games," Harden said. "It's time to amp it up a little bit. Just get our minds and our bodies right and get ready to go.

"We're just going to play it game by game and see how it goes. But for the most part, Coach has done a really good job of managing that aspect. For the players, just go out there and compete at a high level."

The Rockets hold a commanding lead in the Western Conference and have secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs​, but that doesn't mean D'Antoni is going to let his players cruise to the postseason.