ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 2/9/2019

So am I.

 

No way we lose this game if Capela plays. Same story since he went down. Getting killed on the boards on a nightly basis.

I cringed whenever we made that late sub of Faried for Nene. Nene was actually giving us quaility minutes tonight. Subbed in Faried, high screen, defensive breakdown and easy Westbrook layup. Game deciding basket.

 

Wondering if this helps speeds up discussions with House...

 

There it is, the “heart” of the rockets team back then

 

I love PJ but he’s a 24 min player to me. He isn't a threat out there on offense and he get cooked trying to guard on the perimeter. He’s still a good post/mid-range defender but he can’t check anyone above the three point line.

 

The Thunder basically figured out what more and more teams are figuring out - the Rockets are too small to do anything inside against a team with size, and if you let them have the 3, they'll shoot themselves out of a game as fast as they go up. Combine that with the Rockets lack of hustle and general mental disinterest and you get a game like this.

Wouldn't be surprised if the media uses this game to rule Harden out for a second MVP award. George pretty solidly outplayed him on both ends and got a huge comeback win on Harden's floor.

 

Keep in mind guys, 6th/7th Seed doesn't face Warriors until CFs.

Assuming you advance.

 

You know how in the beginning of the season we were going one step forward, two steps back?

Well now it seems like we’re doing the opposite—two steps forward, one step back.

Yes, the team falters far more then it should but we’re making progress, one step at a time...as long as we don’t trip and strain a hammy

 

Correct. It’s a sign of a team that has truly been a failure

 

That, the floater...OKC had Ferguson and George with 5 fouls and we didn't even try to take advantage of that.

 

One critical possession . .

 

What about the missed Harden step backs and turnovers then? See, its easy to play the blame game. I was just saying I trusted CP more with the rock in this particular game, all Im saying.

 

I was all happy in the first half with our 70-45 lead, then wham, it didn't take long to just knock that smile right off my face.

It would help if Tucker, Shumpert, and Nene got more than 5 points between them. I mean come on, Tucker played 36 min and scored a big goose egg. Shumpert 24 minutes and 3 points. Nene 17 min and 2 points. Granted, some of that was on James, with his ISO, ISO, ISO and 1 assist.

They just killed us on the boards. Between James, Green, Gordon, and Rivers we got a whopping 3 rebounds. Come on guys!!!! Play with more effort, and like you want to win. Games like this are just so frustrating to watch, and happen far too often.

 

The fact that this isn’t a surprise is pathetic

 

So... I was out and couldn't watch the game tonight.

Lucky me I guess. My god.

I looked at the score at halftime, was VERY pleasantly surprised and thought "itll be hard to keep this lead that high, but we ARE at home!"........ and then I looked 30min ago and my stomach just dropped. Seriously?!!?!!? Did we just do EVERYTHING wrong 2nd half? No rebounding, no passing, missing everything, allowing second chance points and stupid fouls?

Honestly, I know when we get Capela back that we will mow through most of the league... but tonight...... GEEZ, how did we lose a 24pt 2nd half lead?!?!?!

 

The entire team and coaching staff deserves blame for the loss, even the MVP himself. What part of that don’t you understand? Harden doesn’t get absolved because he dropped 42 points, especially when the rest ot his line is garbage: sub-40% shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers.

James Harden deserves to be the back-to-back MVP this season for putting this team on his back consistently, but he doesn’t get a pass for that third quarter collapse. He was on the court, too.

 

Had an ugly shot!

 

HARden has his shoulder heavily iced. Not good

 

Anyone would have to ice their shoulder after carrying Tilmann's scrubs.