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

I'm not. I'm nervous as hell about every Rockets playoff game(and a lot of regular season games). But if(and it's always a BIG if) the Rockets play solid D from the opening tip, aren't careless with the ball, and make at least 30% of their 3's, it's gonna be very difficult for the Thunder to win at Toyota Center.

 

Lolol that was exactly what he was supposed to be doing

If you have more bodies in the paint it visually send a signal to a ball handler that there isn't an opening there.

Westbrook was stranded outside.

 

Agreed. Roberson's 3s were an anomaly. No way he continues his hot shooting throughout the series.

 

I think the media attention gives Bev more leeway to be physical, if anything. I'm very thankful for it. Once a guy gets a national reputation of being a hound, like Draymond Green, the ticky tack calls start to disappear. Plus, Bev has rarely been called for cheap fouls in his career.

 

Nene shooting a staggering 79% on the season against the Thunder

Nene has made missing obsolete

 

We need to trap Westbrook aggressively this game. I predict he will be doing even more than he usually does based on his performance from last game as well as the likely death sentence a 2-0 hole would bring. I would disrespect the **** out of Roberson again and take the W while he drops 40.

 

let him try to win the game by himself. they have a very terrible record when he takes over 30 shots

 

Rockets roll again..but this time they hit their threes..Harden DOMINATES.

 

Sometimes you just know how to beat someone. The Rockets just know how to beat the Thunder. There, I said it.

 

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-thunder-says-not-worried-anybody-defense-him

 

Westbrook knows who Beverley is?!?!?

 

Rox fans acted like we won the whole series in 1 game.
They will come out swinging in Game 2. If we are 3-0 after our first game in OKC
then I'll be ready to start celebrating early. Not until then

 

Actually although Bill said that, Rogers was interviewed at halftime and he was not happy with the lack of close out on Roberson. That changed after halftime, which tells me the plan wasn't to give Roberson 5 seconds to shoot.

I'm fine with the strategy but once Roberson gets it we need to close out immediately. It's not like Roberson is a good passer and it's not like Harden would be leaving anyone open. Even the worst 3pt shooter will hit 40% of his shots if left open that much. Except Corey Brewer.

 

I can understand the coaching staff being upset. Once Roberson hit his first 3 attempts, you need to adjust the strategy.

 

I think they were upset after the first one, judging by their reaction on the bench. Even if the strategy is to sag off Roberson heavily, you have to close out. This is the NBA. Even Harrell would hit 4 of 6 if he were THAT wide open and had THAT much time. I know for certain that Rogers would not call Harden's assignment out that directly if it weren't a big problem.

Oladipo won't go 1 of 12 again and Harden probably won't blow by Roberson regularly in game 2, but Roberson WILL hit 4 of 6 on those type of shots. The reason he didn't average a decent 3pt% is because there was at least a half-assed hand in his face. Small adjustment, major dividends.

 

LOL don't get your panties in the wad and lose some sleep after the rockets held okc to 87 points and roberson with his 18 points as their 2nd leading scorer

 

Lulz. You mean like this:
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php...-the-15-16-season.269989/page-3#post-10103903

 

lol at Corey Brewer

But you're right on the close out. Harden doesnt even need to close out hard and he shouldnt since they would allow Roberson to drive by him. Just close out to about 2 feet near him. The Rockets did this in the second half and outside of the one three he hit when Beverley was on the ground Harden did close out but not hard and Roberson passed the ball out and stopped looking for his shot. Thats all thats needed no need to treat him like Eric Gordon out there because he hit open three like that.

 

We need to be focused on what's important: will Westbrook get a triple double?!

 

Come out and win convincingly.