This. It would be an unwatchable series. And those missed foul shots could cost the Rockets a game or two. The Clippers have a weak bench. Plus Paul's never been past the second round. I'd rather take my chances against him than the defending champs.
I have no idea, both will be so damn tough to beat.. I just hope their series go to seven so we get more rest.
Spurs: 1. There are few more painful feelings in sports than watching Chris Paul flop against your team with 2 minutes left in the game. 2. Aside from this year, the Rockets match up much better against the Spurs than the Clippers. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul hit you at your two most vulnerable positions. 3. James Harden is a veritable Spurs killer. Remember last year's sweep of them? That included like two Harden game winners in the closing seconds. Remember the OKC-Spurs series? Yeah. 4. None of those dreadful hangover games from Harden due to being in LA
It doesn't matter its going to be tough either way. We are going to need a 100% focused and unpassive Harden. No more knee passes! As a team make your FTs and just play tough D
Clippers. Will be a dogfight, BBS will be b****ing about Redick/Crawford (and way lesser degree, Barnes) being "God" and "can't miss" but I'll take my chances there. Spurs, nah. Great team, deep team, great coach, need to play smart basketball or they capitalize on your mistakes. Rockets don't play smart, low turnover basketball. Need to be precise, Rockets are not. And Pop is gonna just hack the hell out of all of the bigs. Enjoy that I guess? Only "advantage" to Spurs would be another round and not having to leave the state of Texas & no late starts. (Houston still somehow got 8:30 starts at home vs. Dallas so...)
I have changed my mind. I wanted SA before but now that I think about it I prefer LA. I would rather have Barnes being the primary defender on Harden as opposed to Kawhi if we play SA. As mentioned by someone else, LA won't be as aggressive the the fouling either. Plus at the end of the day I fear the SA defense in the playoffs more.
Good arguments I agree. Thankfully the series will go at least go 6 and with luck 7 with a few double OTs as well.
Spurs: 1) Because Matt Barnes will for sure injure someone. 2) Everytime pop does hack-a-shaq it just hurts them.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Rockets have a 35 pct chance to beat the Clippers and a 24 percent chance to beat the Spurs in the Conf Semis according to ESPN's BPI.</p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/593255860907974656">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Does that mean the Clippers have a 65% chance of beating us and vice versa for the Spurs? Cuz that is some BS.
honestly i dont want to play san antonio because they will probably overuse hacking and it always gets me irrationally mad and makes the game not fun to watch (and doesn't help that our team can't hit their stupid free throws)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dwight Howard on Spurs/Clippers series: For us I don't think it matters who we play. Whoever we play it's going to be a tough series."</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/593259120624435202">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Rip: He doesn't want to play against Duncan. Duncan can get under his skin. Pop does a good job defending key guys. He'll lock in on Howard & Harden. It's the Clippers. DJ will match up with him and be aggressive. He wants to go against a guy who doesn't flop. For him, going against DJ and the Clippers. IT: I agree. Against SA, he'll have to play defense. With DJ, you don't have to guard him with post play. You do have to watch for lobs. Jordan would be an easier cover than Duncan and Splitter.
Spurs. We have nothing to lose, they have to defend their title. When push comes to shove Clips play physical all day, in which only Dwight can hang with. I feel like Clips play in a "cheap" way. Spurs are more clean, more our style.
Would rather face the defending champs and be the Texas kings. I have no respect for LA and would be frustrated the whole series