ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 4/16/2017 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

I guess I don't praise when it's evenly distributed or a well called game...I suppose I'm a homer and only see it when it goes the other way but damn, am I the only one who thought the Rockets played 5 on 8 and still whooped dat ass? The elbow to Capela, Adams flooring Bev, various non-calls a pretty egregious one on Lou and on plays in the Rocket's paint then basically every ticky tack foul they could blow to keep OKC in the game....I don't find Ariza as an overly complainy or whiny player and he was very clearly telling the ref you're calling bullshit. Pat was pretty demonstrative over a couple no-calls. Rockets just ground and pounded em, OKC had no answer...even though they're the bigger and better rebounding team they got worked on the boards. They have the more visible star player and he got owned by a try-hard. They stopped the air-raid 3 attack and lost by 30.

This basically got billed as the headline game for round 1. The prime time slot. And instead of media giving due credit or even remotely acting like OKC just got mud-holed out behind the shed....it's like, well here's how they come back. Come back? Come back to earth, they're outmatched and the Rockets are an elite team that's about to sweep em.

Take away the Roberson outburst of shooting and that scrub banking one in...Thud-ners wouldn't even have scored 80. Say Westbrook goes off...say oladipo goes off or Adams resembles a huge man working against smaller ones at some point...The Rockets didn't play well AT ALL....and scored 118. Bev probably not going off like that every night...but Ariza can. Gordon can. Lou can go nuclear and drop 30. Did Ryan Anderson even score? Capela got 14 or so right? If they stop him AND Nene in a given night I'd be surprised. For all the Adams/Kanter better front court talk they sure got owned on boards and points. Does Kanter even get playing time now?

 

now youre stat padding , you wanna get tripel double?

 

each of those deserved its own thread, there's just too many for one person to handle.

 

Rhyno is a defensive juggernaut!

 

Lou will be okay. He's a scorer and a veteran he will watch the film. I think Gordon will be better next game too.

 

The argument doesn't work when you get blown out by 31points and Patrick Beverley outshines you, too. Article is nothing more than another transparent attempt to justify their bad MVP votes


And they do this while doing a disservice to fans who want to talk about the playoffs and read articles about what the Rockets are doing to win and how they could be a legit threat in 2nd round ... no talking basketball at all. I mean, even give us stuff about what adjustments OKC needs to make, if you want to focus on them. But not spinning Game 1 around MVP chatter.

 

Ok Clutch, please upload playoff intro video

 

This please

 

The Thunder haven't kept a game with the Rox within 10 points since Brewer was jettisoned for Lou Will.

73 Sun, Mar 26, 2017 3:30p ET Box Score Oklahoma City Thunder W 137 | 125 [51-22] W 4
1 Sun, Apr 16, 2017 9:00p ET Box Score Oklahoma City Thunder W 118 | 87 [1-0] W 1


Also haven't beaten the Rox with Beverley on the floor.

 

All of those cakewalk drives Harden had were a result of them playing Anderson tight and consequently having no help defender at the second level.

 

Bev steal less than 4 minutes into the game, after making his first 2 threes.

 

I was half-expecting this game to follow the regular season script:

1. Fairly even for the first 15 mins
2. Rockets go on a run and have a sizeable lead by halftime
3. Thunder cut into said lead thanks to Westbrook and some laughable calls
4. Rockets end up winning by a close (but only on the surface) margin

 

You mean last 2 games?

 

The greatest problem with the "weaker cast argument" is Westbrook's 9 turnovers.
I can't remember* the last time a single player in the playoffs turned the ball over 9 times.
To have shot as low a percentage as he did and be that careless with the ball had a lot to do with why they fell lost.

There's a clear experience gap in the OKC supporting cast, but they weren't the ones giving the ball away. Westbrook was.

Keep in mind that the entire Rockets team only had 11 turnovers. Harden had only 2.

[*Well, I couldn't resist. I had to look it up. I didn't want to remember that Harden turned the ball over 13 times for the most turnovers in an NBA playoff game against GS on May 27, 2015.]

 

Thunder looked outclassed, and I don't think it was because the Rockets played their usual "air assault" type of game. Actually the three point barrage didn't really happen. It was a strong inside game that saved the day. The Rockets also cranked up their rebounding and inside defense. To me, Nene and Capella were major factors. Where was Ariza? L.Williams and Gordan continue to misfire and so did Ryan. If those three get going, it could get really ugly. Harden was his usual super star self, and Beverly was amazing. Hope he can "walk" the next game. That hit took a toll. Thunder will come back strong in game 2; they were really embarrassed.

 

insert whinin blonde gif...its always mvp mvp mvp

 

I thought they did a great job running out our threes, almost every shot was contested. Good thing Harden stepped up and started taking it to the Rack. Nene was amazing last night, so was Ryno on the boards. The team last yea would have given up

 

If Rockets play defense like last night.

Then we beat SAS.

They are better than the WCF Rockets team.

 

You make a good point. I forgot to give Ryan his due on the boards. He was part of a very strong inside game.