ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pistons 1/28/2023

Nix had a great game though, tbh.

 

Why was Alpi out? I missed the game.

 

non covid illness

 

Did they keep him out so we would lose?

KMJ and Tari and EG were like...screw that, we will win.

 

They better not be trying to trade him.

 

A pg, a back-up PF, a new coach, Rockets will be contender in 2-3 years time.

Pistons: Hopeless, no chance for the next decade

 

he is probably sick of Silas sh*t. I have same symptoms

 

The Rockets did collapse, the Pistons just collapsed harder. Respect.

 

Lucas did actually better at motivating players.

 

Nix is a grade G leaguer, which is what last night felt like.

 

At the start of 2nd half; score was basically a tie (51-50)

Q3: Rockets 24 pts vs Pistons 29 pts.
Q4: Rockets 34 pts vs Pistons 28 pts.​

Judging by Piston's two quarters, their offense (and our defense) allowed basically the same amount of Detroit points. So I was looking at the minutes distribution and to see what swung for HOU's offense and DET's defense.

Pistons minutes change q3 and q4

Decreased: Saddiq (7:43 min -> 4 min). Duren (7min -> 4 min)
About the same: Burks, Ivey, Hayes
Increased: Bojan (10 min -> 12 ), Livers (4 min -> 8 ), Stewart (5 min -> 8)

Saddiq and Duren; two of their better defensive guys played less. Could be Dwayne Casey hoped Bojan or Ivey go off in Q4, but the sacrifice on defense appears not to have paid off.
​

Rockets minutes in Q3 and Q4.

Decreased: Tari (10:36 min -> 3:31 min), Mathews (3min -> 0)
About the same: Gordon (8-9min), Bruno (2 min), Tate (5min)
Increased:

KMJ (8 -> 12min),
Jabari (7:24 -> 11 min)
Nix (5 -> 9 min)
Garuba (3 -> 7 min)
​

So in Q4, basically Lucas played his starters longer minutes, all except a swap of more minutes for Garuba over Tari. Lucas pushed the right buttons with KJ the entire Q4 after possible defensive lapses earlier on.


Minutes by quarter. Q2 and Q4 were our comeback quarters.

Jabari: (7min, 7, 7, 11)
Gordon (7-9min all each)
Nix (7min, 4, 5, 9)
Tari (7min, 9, 10, 3)
KJ (3min 2, 8, 12)
-----------------------------------------
JC (4min, 7, 5, 0)
Tate (4.5min, 5, 5, 5.5) (Rockets with the ~20 min restriction after injury)
Garuba (2min, 6.5, 3, 7)
​

To me the swing, was that Casey's defense sacrifice didn't net him more points in Q4 (than Q3), and with that Lucas was able to slot in KJ (more offense). And Jabari didn't have to worry about muscling with Duren as a small ball 5. Jabari also came through with good defensive effort in Q4. Garuba hitting his 3's also swung the game for us. Garuba was also the one that played more in minutes during our comeback quarters: Q2 and Q4.

 

they better do...i am tired of sengun rotting in this sespit

 

dont forget chet holmgren who already was winning 5 rings for OKC before he was even drafted

 

i wish yall were listening to me when I said we need not tanking for 3rd year in a row now...its not for naught that many of you made the list...you can win with anyone in nba... everybody is talented here

 

Lets not act like shouting makes any positive difference for players, except for coach pr. Lucas seems like a guy to undermine both MDA and Silas. Accountability, day to day work, trust, same rules for everyone. Thats what makes players respect you

 

I think we have different goals

 

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrr I see yooooou big dawgs!

 

I was thinking the same thing.....coaching makes a difference