GAME THREAD: RGV Vipers vs. Oklahoma City Blue, 11/22/2014

Just a thought clutch, maybe we could move these game threads to the GARM? It would definitely generate interest and more folks would watch the games.

 

Agree with this.

 

Capela with another great game: 12 points (5-8 FG), 5 rebounds and 6 blocks in 15 minutes.

 

Capela highlights

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Capela slam

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Vipers 15 blocks

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Capela's 6 blocks

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Earl Clark nets 29

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Gary Talton 13 assists

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Nick Johnson 24 points

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Nevada Smith post-game

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Akil Mitchell post-game

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Earl Clark post-game

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Blue-Vipers highlights

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http://www.themonitor.com/sports/ri...cle_018d449a-72cb-11e4-8711-13631b2f92a2.html

Posted: Saturday, November 22, 2014 10:41 pm
DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
HIDALGO — Last season, the Vipers made it to the D-League semifinals on the back of a sharpshooting offense. This season, they’ve added a twist, turning to defense whenever their potent offense betrays them.
That was the case Saturday night as RGV bested the Oklahoma City Blue 131-125 at State Farm Arena. The Vipers’ offense was not there — with 44.1 percent shooting, including just 27.5 percent from 3 — and while that may have been cause for defeat last season, it’s not this year.
RGV took control defensively, blocking 15 shots, outrebounding OKC 55-51 and forcing 13 turnovers to improve to 4-1.
“This is a good defensive group,” said rookie forward Akil Mitchell, who had nine rebounds and three blocks. “It’s a lot of long, athletic guys that really pride themselves on defense. If shots aren’t falling, this team knows we need to get stops.
“Close games, tough games like this, a lot of this comes naturally for defensive-minded guys.”
RGV led by nine at halftime before OKC rallied to tie it at 75 with 6:12 left in the third quarter. From there, however, the Vipers amped the defense, got some stops and pulled away, eventually getting the lead back up to 11 before holding on.
In the fourth quarter, with the crowd and Vipers awakened, Rockets assignee center Clint Capela threw down a couple of impressive dunks for good measure. On one jam, he caught the ball on the perimeter, one-dribbled and power-slammed through a crowd.
By then, it was enough, especially with the other Rockets assignee Nick Johnson (24 points, 9-for-15 shooting) taking over down the stretch as he broke down the defense with ease. And every time the Blue threatened, the Vipers made defensive plays to keep them at bay, with the 6-foot-10 Capela blocking three of his game-high six shots in the final three minutes.
The Blue (1-2) got their points, but needed 115 field goal attempts to do so, shooting just 43.5 percent, and just 34.3 percent from 3.
“We’ll take that every night,” Vipers coach Nevada Smith said. “When we held people under 50 (percent shooting) last year, we celebrated. This year, we’ve held people low, and it would be even lower if we could get the rebound.”
Capela, still on a minutes-restriction as he recovers from a preseason groin injury, finished with 12 points and five rebounds to go with his half-dozen blocks in 15 minutes.
“I was feeling comfortable on the court, feeling good,” Capela said. “There were opportunities to block some shots and I took advantage. Defense is an area I feel I can really help my team, staying active and blocking shots.”
It’s made a difference as something Smith can now lean upon.
“We’re playing harder (defensively),” Smith said. “Last year, we didn’t have a lot of length. This year, length covers up a lot of mistakes. When we make a defensive mistake, we can erase it.”

 

I am a huge fan of Capela and the new look Rockets. I think once he heals up and get his leg under him he will be a HUGE contributor on the Rockets team. This guy is as long as A. Davis. If he is able to develop a three point shot or shoot free throws, he can be a real star on the Rockets team.