ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 4/19/2017 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

I mentioned this in Game 1's thread so i'm sure it got buried, but Roberson for OKC is what Brewer had been for the Rockets last 2 1/2 years. A solid defensive player (Roberson is better) who is at best a streaky shooter, but sub 30%. Roberson shot below 25% for the entire season so you play the odds and let him shoot all day every day.

In game 1, if everything stays the same, including Roberson's 18 pts, and Westbrook were to go off for 50 points, Rockets still would have won.

IMO, Harden played his defensive role superbly... cuz he didnt have to play much at all

 

Game starts at 6pm. Pass it along to everyone else you know that's in attendance in case they're not aware

 

He maybe a sub 25% 3 point shooter but at least two of the looks he got on Sunday were wide open... that probably helps his %'s... even if the dude isn't very good he is obviously capable of making wide open 3's.

 

game starts at 7

 

Pretty much. He began to close out after Roberson looked like a real basketball player. Pretty much tempt Westbrook into shooting inefficient long 2s that he has low % on and live with everything else.

Beating the Thunder isn't....Rocket.....science.

 

Wrong.

The majority of his shots come from catch and shoot oppurtunites (33% frequency) with 6+feet between him and closest defender.

His % on those absolutely wide open looks? 25.3

Harden on the first 2 looks absolutely could have closed out but specifically did not but rather got in position to box out and secure a rebound after waiting (DARING) for Roberson to shoot.

Once he went like 3 of 4 the plan clearly switched and he started closing out.

 

yea but harden clogged the paint and didn't let WB going and instead Robertson made some 3's but that's not something they can rely on.

 

yea i figured but just making sure. there's too much traffic for people to be early anyways. it's a nightmare getting there unless you're already in downtown

 

Yeah, every team gives Roberson WIDE OPEN looks, and he still shoots 25% from 3. He does not have to be guarded. Him going 4-6 from 3 is a straight up fluke. Roberson is a dude who air balls free throws, he's a worse shooter than Brewer. Even with Roberson making 4 threes, that's only 4 possessions where he made us pay due to our defensive strategy. However, there were 50+ possessions where us not guarding him and clogging the lane made it extremely difficult for OKC to score. I'll take that trade off all day.

 

Let's put it this way....

What thoughts went through your mind whenever Brewer got open 3 point looks? What thoughts do you think went through our opponents minds when Brewer got those open 3 point looks?

What Brewer was to HOU is what Roberson is to OKC.

 

I don't get it.

3 days rest between games when in the same city.

2 days rest when the team has to fly to Oklahoma.

How? What?

 

Staggering the TV schedule on TNT (and NBA TV & ESPN) to maximize all the "TV windows."

 

I agree, regardless of how bad a shooter a player is, there needs to be at the very least a hand in his face. Not wide open HORSE shots.

David

 

Nope, a shooter can be so bad that that hand should be elsewhere playing safety or getting ready for the rebound. Teams left Brewer wide open and he rarely made them pay. It was so frustrating. If someone like Dwight wanted wide open horse shots from deep, I'd let him have them all day.

 

No point in closing out on Roberson.

 

It is the playoffs, so anything can happen. Must bring your "A" game, every game. But, the Thunder look "done" for some reason. Their body language is like "we can't beat these guys four games out of seven." They better crank it up and quick. On second thought, lay down and limit the misery.

 

I agree wholeheartedly but until OKC learns what the pick-n-roll looks like, the Rox are going to keep blowing them off the court.

 

People are being way over confident right now