ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Blazers 4/27/2014 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 4)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Harden on last night's game: &quot;We still haven't played our best game yet.&quot; <a href="http://t.co/8oSt3f2gcT">pic.twitter.com/8oSt3f2gcT</a></p>&mdash; Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/statuses/460136438546173952">April 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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This team has to learn how to hold on to leads late in the game. 2 blown 11 point leads with 7 minutes or less to go is pretty much unacceptable.

 

They were in the bonus with 9 minutes left. They were trickled back in to the game.

Saying that, didn't Houston go like 8 minutes without a FG late in the 4th? Bad time to do that, but we won, and that is all that matters.

 

I think you mean Games 3 and 4. But I hope you are right with that.

 

I suppose I'll accept that explanation. <_< Him saying we haven't played our best game yet makes me feel a lot better.

 

I hate how everytime batum or lillard sees harden guarding them, they demand the ball and blow right by him, i hope harden takes offense to that

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dwight on guarding Aldridge: &quot;We just have to make him take tough shots, that's the key.&quot; <a href="http://t.co/RXZXar7XX3">pic.twitter.com/RXZXar7XX3</a></p>&mdash; Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/statuses/460139120296095744">April 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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too much switching on defense. lillard vs anyone besides bev is a mismatch.

 

Harden need NEVER be switched on Lillard again.

 

Why does all this talking sound familiar? Watch him lay a turd in a blowout loss.

 

Yes, they all need to stop talking and just go play. Your play will do all the talking.

"I'm the best SF"
"Pressure is off us"
blah blah blah

Enough. Go play ball.

 

Yeah, thanks. I agree with Harden's comments that the Rox haven't played their best game yet - let's do it in game 4.

 

The winner of this game likely wins the series. Tomorrow we'll find out if this is the 1994 Suns series or the 2008 Jazz series.

 

What do you mean, all this talking? What did he say that was so out of there?

 

look, reporters ask these guys questions and they have to answer with something. give the guy a break--if he shuts up and shuns the press, he gets criticized for avoiding the scrutiny. for god's sake let's give this team a break.

 

I agree that the pressure is on portland. If they lose tomorrow, they will have blown a 2-0 lead and given back home court advantage.

Rockets still expected to lose this series, so just go out and play. Keep the pressure on them. I hope harden and chandler come out on fire next game. We have yet to play well.

 

Its pretty clear that the pressure is on us. If we lose tomorrow, we go down 1-3. If we win, we tie it up. Portland has shown that they are more than capable of winning at the TC. Harden just ensured that Portland will bring their A game.

 

You are right - the pressure is definitely on us to win. However, I am not sure I want Harden to play like the world is on his shoulders. He just needs to play like James Harden.

 

Nah. Pressure was on the Rockets in game one because they had homecourt and most people picked Portland. Once going down 0-2, the pressure begins to leave as the Blazers are no expected to take the series. Its obvious there is more pressure on Portland to win game four as they are the ones that took the 2-0 series lead. Not saying there isnt any pressure on the Rockets, its the playoffs after all, but there is definitely more on the Blazers. Especially considering this game is in Portland.