Warriors’ defense staggers, then thrives in Game 6 win

One way to gauge how the Warriors are playing on defense is to watch assistant coach Ron Adams sitting on the bench. He's an easy-to-read barometer: either a portrait of exasperation or beaming like a proud parent. Adams, one of the NBA's most accomplished and respected defensive gurus, touched both extremes Saturday night at Oracle Arena. The Warriors couldn't stop Houston early in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. The Rockets scored 39 points in the first quarter, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to turn to Adams and say, "I don't even recognize what I'm seeing out here." Then, suddenly, the sights changed.