Ricky Rubio explained that the Jazz were desperate to stop James Harden's trademark step-back 3s after he guarded the Rockets star from behind.
Harden is in the running for a second consecutive NBA MVP award after another stunning season in which he averaged 36.1 points per game.
Each new opponent has sought a way to contain Harden and the Jazz were no different in Game 1 of their playoff series, with Rubio's bizarre approach allowing the Rockets guard to move past him before attempting to block from behind.
But Houston ran out 122-90 winners, with Harden putting up 29 points and making four shots from beyond the arc.
Rubio explained: "We shaded him right because on the left he's got the step-back and it's a 3 every time, no matter who is on him. He is one of the best in the league at doing it.
GAME 1: W #RunAsOne pic.twitter.com/p7iTbfdqN7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 15, 2019
"I think this year he had more 3s than Steph Curry just doing step-backs. That's crazy — you're talking about Steph Curry, one of the best on the league, if not the best.
"So we would rather him take 20 or 30 shots and him score 20 points than just have the 3s."
Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni was not convinced, though, as he insists there is no stopping Harden.
"He can have a bad game and they'll attribute it to something. Sometimes humans have bad games," he said. "But you're not stopping him, I don't care what you do."