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Which 1st/2nd round team will most challenge Rockets?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by celebrevida, Jan 23, 2018.

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Which 1st/2nd round team will most challenge Rockets?

  1. Timberwolves

    9 vote(s)
    7.3%
  2. Spurs

    31 vote(s)
    25.0%
  3. Thunder

    77 vote(s)
    62.1%
  4. Clippers

    3 vote(s)
    2.4%
  5. Other (NO, POR, DEN, etc but excluding GS)

    4 vote(s)
    3.2%
  1. celebrevida

    celebrevida Member

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    The toughest opponent is obviously the Warriors but Rockets won't face them until WCF barring something unforseen.

    In the 1st and 2nd round, lots of potential opponents are possible.

    IMO, the worst setup is Rockets facing LAC followed by OKC and then GS.

    Rockets will beat LAC but it will be physical and taxing. NO, POR, DEN will be 5 game series.

    For the second round, SA will also be 5 game series regardless if Kawhi returns. MIN can make it interesting and could take it to 6 games. OKC though is a trap matchup and could upset.

    Concur?
     
    napalm06 and ilias like this.
  2. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    Assuming we are the 2 seed...

    Would really prefer to avoid New Orleans in Round 1, and would really prefer to avoid Oklahoma City in Round 2. All things equal...I would like to avoid teams with multiple superstars.
     
  3. don grahamleone

    don grahamleone Contributing Member

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    Thunder.

    If their big 3 are rolling, they'd be really tough to beat. That being said, I doubt they will be. Plus their lack of depth would hurt them in a 7 game series.
     
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  4. Vivi

    Vivi Member

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    Thunder for their physicality/defensive potential and Spurs (with Kawhi healty) cause they're just a great team. Minnie has talent but outside of Butler i don't trust other players that much...
     
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  5. CDrex

    CDrex Contributing Member

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    I want no part of the Spurs. Less about matchups, more about Gregg Popovich.

    I'm still trying to figure out what the Timberwolves are. I think they'll be something else in April, for better or for worse. Could be a risky matchup, could be a cakewalk.

    I'm not very worried about the Thunder but I'm not going to be mad if they stay in that 4-5 bracket.

    Pelicans are the team I would most like to face, because Boogie has no damn idea how to deal with the Harden-Capela pick and roll.
     
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  6. justtxyank

    justtxyank Contributing Member

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    Honestly I think all of the teams are tough matchups except Portland and Denver.
     
    da_juice likes this.
  7. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    Probably the Thunder because of their size.
     
  8. macan

    macan Member

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    1st round: NO, 2nd round: OKC. i'm sure we will still win but i do hope we avoid these two teams in the playoff just so we will have more rest and wait for warriors in the west final:)
     
  9. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    Wolves for sure. They are getting better and are solid defensively. They are deeper than the Thunder and are meshing well right now. Not to mention they have a great coach. I still dont really believe in Donovan. The thunder have the top heavy talent but I also dont really believe that Westbrook is going to be able to mesh with the others come playoff time. George is going to want to look good for off season suitors. I just dont fully buy them just yet. They have a poor road record (somehow the spurs do too this year) and have been just super up or down. They have had some major highs and also major lows. They also have a thin bench and a major offensive weakness with Roberson


    Spurs would be up there if Kawhi was around for sure but without him I would have to give the Wolves the edge because of the talent they have.
     
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  10. thekad

    thekad Member

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    Pretty straightforward: Avoid the best teams.

    Portland in the first round and Timberwolves (if Kawhi is healthy) in the second would be the preferred matchups.
     
  11. cerophilik

    cerophilik Member

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    Is gonna be a tough one no matter who we face. But whichever team we get if we play our style and shoot ok we will be fine. Maybe No or Thunders. I think we got the spurs even if they get kawhi or fix their issues. This year they won’t be able to do what they did last year. And hopefully Harden doesn’t quit. If he does we have Cp3 tucker and Luc to help out and if he totally quits we can put in Green instead :p
     
  12. lionaire

    lionaire Member

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    If we went into the playoffs with the current standings it would be perfect for us.

    1st round vs Portland

    2nd round vs Minnesota/New Orleans

    Let OKC/SA battle GS and we'll see the winner in the WCF
     
  13. ab0_bleedred

    ab0_bleedred Member

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    Damn you just out here predicting Kawhi getting traded to the Timberwolves??
     
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  14. ab0_bleedred

    ab0_bleedred Member

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    ahh nevermind, I read that wrong
     
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  15. celebrevida

    celebrevida Member

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    Can't believe people voting for Spurs over better teams like Timberwolves or Thunder. Yes that's even assuming Leonard returns.

    Really???
     
  16. MystikArkitect

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    Clippers/Spurs/Dubs in that order. Just to slam shut all the stories about our guys and coach vs those teams. Sweep the first two and beat the Dubs in 6.
     
  17. Corrosion

    Corrosion Member

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    Pop gets more out of less every year .... That guy is dangerous.
     
    HakeemOnlyFan likes this.
  18. bilaal14

    bilaal14 Member

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    Clippers are a joke and I can’t believe people actually think they can beat us.

    NO and OKC should be teams to avoid.... we can beat them... but if we can avoid, we should.
     
  19. LCII

    LCII Contributing Member

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    I ain't afraid of the Warriors but I'm afraid of LAC. Rockets should be very careful if they play LAC in the playoffs.
     
  20. Le$$

    Le$$ Member

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    Its the playoffs, any team can be a challenge. You could go in with the Pelicans as the 2nd seed, and be down 2-0 at home. Rockets would feel bad after having such a great year, a gut wrenching invent in there stomaches. hehe
     

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