Durant: The responsibility for the Rockets' loss lies with me; even if Sengun and VanVleet were on the court, the opponent would still double-team me.

On March 17 Beijing time, the Rockets lost 92-100 to the Lakers at home. Durant scored 18 points and 5 rebounds, faced frequent double-teams from the Lakers, and committed 7 turnovers. After the game, Durant spoke to the media—

Reporter: Kevin, when you're double-teamed at the top of the key, what can be done to avoid that situation?

Durant: I don't know, you have to ask someone else. I really don't know. I think we just need to make our shots. Maybe I should simply spread out, go to the corner, and create space for my teammates. Some teams double-team me aggressively whenever I get the ball, then combine it with zone defense, betting that we'll miss open shots. If they're willing to leave open shots, that's fine. But honestly, I probably should spread out, set screens, prepare for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and simply create space for my teammates.

This situation has been happening all season, but I'm gradually realizing: I should handle the ball less and let others move it.

Reporter: Why do you think it was so tough for you in the fourth quarter against their defense targeting you?

Durant: I just think we didn't make our shots. We only made 5 out of 26 three-pointers, and moving the ball and shooting threes in the half court is supposed to be our strength. When we were leading by 1 point, I missed two wide-open threes; if those had gone in, we would have been up by 4. Tonight I lost the game, that's simply it.

Of course, my teammates could have made more shots too, but the responsibility is entirely on me. Honestly, I'm the offensive focal point, opponents will definitely use every method to make me uncomfortable. In the first half I was comfortable in isolation, off screens, and in pick-and-rolls; in the second half they stopped letting me be comfortable.

So I have to be smarter and handle the ball better. Maybe I should shoot directly against the double-team. But like I said, spread out, prepare for catch-and-shoot, set screens, stay in a spot-up position, be a pivot for my teammates, instead of holding the ball so much like tonight.

Reporter: Do you not want to be the offensive initiator in such situations?

Durant: I just think it stagnates the offense. Once I cross half court, they're waiting for me to drive, and I know they're coming to double-team, so I hesitate for a moment. The whole process is too slow.

And I think the responsibility is entirely on me. Whenever I get the ball, opponents collapse from the corners, the wings, the low post, almost like a zone defense. No matter where I position myself, I face a double-team.

I'm just trying to find ways to make it easier for myself and my teammates. It seems the answer is: set more screens, better screens, spread out, catch-and-shoot, dribble less, help the team flow.

We also saw some good plays like driving to the basket, Reed in pick-and-rolls; we need to utilize those more. Once opponents double-team, we need to confidently make the open shots.

Reporter: You've played with many elite point guards. Do you think not having VanVleet on the court to stabilize things is a problem for you?

Durant: I think even if VanVleet were here, they would double-team me like this.

Many teams just gamble: "We'll shut down this offensive focal point and see if the others can beat us." Many teams in the league now do this—limit the opponent's best player and let the others beat you.

So even with VanVleet, the defensive strategy wouldn't change. Of course, Fred's three-point shooting and aggressiveness would definitely make opponents pay more.

Reporter: You also had many turnovers tonight. How much was due to the opponent's defense, and how much was your own mistakes?

Durant: On a few possessions I should have just shot. There were also some offensive fouls. Under such defensive pressure, turnovers are normal, but I can't have 7. 2-3 is okay, 7 is absolutely not. Our team had 22 turnovers, I alone accounted for 7. But I still take full responsibility; I let the opponent dictate my offense.

I'll review the tape properly, we have another game next, we'll work to adjust, learn, and get better. I have to find ways not to hinder the offense, not to let the double-team slow down the offensive rhythm.

Reporter: You said you handled the ball too much tonight. If Sengun were on the court, with another ball-handler, so you wouldn't always dribble and face double-teams, how different would it be?

Durant: Like I said, no matter who is on the court, opponents would double-team me like this, even if he's not there. This team (the Lakers) isn't originally considered a strong defensive team, but they disrupted us with unconventional defense, abandoning their regular defense. Because initially we could run whatever we wanted. They adjusted like other strong teams: "We can't let this guy beat us."

So I have to be smarter. Of course, Sengun being on the court would share the load; he can finish, shoot, organize, which is better for all of us.

Reporter: In recent games against strong teams, like this one and the previous Nuggets game, what exactly are you missing?

Durant: I don't think we are a disjointed team. Apart from not making shots, there's no other issue. I've always said, this league is about making shots.

Our defense limited the opponent to 100 points; a disjointed team can't do that. Offense is like this; when shots don't fall, everyone watches, the on-court atmosphere gets a bit strange. Make those shots, and we're fine.

Reporter: Tonight was a prime-time broadcast, the fans were energetic, you and the Lakers went back and forth; did tonight have a playoff atmosphere?

Durant: No, honestly it felt like a regular Lakers game. There were many Lakers fans in the arena. In a real playoff game, the whole arena would be our own fans.

But playing away against a team with superstar players is like this; there will be many opposing fans. Houston is a big city, definitely many Lakers fans live here too.

So I wouldn't say this was playoff intensity. The score 92 to 100 did have a bit of a 90s playoff feel. Glad we get to play them again next game.