That is one thought I have had. The other is, frankly, Hack-a-Rocket for 7 games would suck. Hard to see how we don't lose at least one game in part due to FT's. Also, their experience can't be ignored. I think I want the Clippers (like I want a root canal rather than having teeth pulled).
Doc Rivers will have to run his starters into the ground. And they have no bench. That being said, there is a high likely hood that the Clips lose. They have choke artists on that team...Yes while it was a great series, I truly think losing game 2 at home was the loss that will hurt them. The Spurs can beat anyone anywhere, and their players had bad shooting games sans Marco Belinelli...The fact that Spurs walked into the Staples center twice and won is a huge mental motivation. Spurs will win game 7, barring a major injury.
I originally voted for the Clippers, but now I'm not so sure. Dwight won't be able to do what he'd been doing against DeAndre, he's one of the few guys in the league that can match his size/strength. Chris Paul would feast on whoever's guarding him, & Blake would tear Jones apart. It would take a MONSTER series from Harden to beat the Clippers. The Spurs would definitely be tough too, but I can see them having trouble chasing the young guys all series, and since Dwight isn't nearly as bad a shooter as DeAndre is the Spurs won't be able to take him out of the game whenever they want to.
But we are still not healthy. We are missing Bev and DMo. Jones is still not 100%. Papa is not going to contribute much in the playoffs. And who knows if Howard's knee can hold up. So it's just an empty claim that IF we were healthy we would be better than them.
The poster above you didn't say he would "struggle" with him. Dwight is a beast, yes. But I'm not sure how you can deny that we are much more favored in a Dwight v. banged-up Tiago matchup than a Dwight v. Deandre matchup. Dwight's athleticism is not going to be a huge advantage when matched up w/ an equally athletic Deandre Jordan.
I think we have a good shot against either team. Clippers lack a bench and Brewer/Smoove should feast against them in transition. Spurs lack talent, as they've overachieved their talent due to their cohesiveness, but we are seeing that Blake is still killing them simply because he's such a superior talent. Dwight can do the same thing. Here's to a physical game 7 and both teams knocking the hell out of each other in a grind.
Agree with your initial sentiment, but this Mavs team was garbage. Even lower tier after losing 2 starters. I didn't see the Rockets struggling at all, and never really questioned that it'd be over in 5-6 games. Tend to agree. Look, clearly Griffin/Jordan present a tougher combo to alley off of than Chandler + garbage, but DH is in beast mode right now. Jordan can handle iso defense just fine and dandy, but once you throw J-Smoove into the mix.... Clippers will run out of gas/get into foul trouble via Harden and aggressive Smith/DH. Spurs will be overmatched by raw talent and the fact that we're peaking at the right time (doesn't hurt that they'd be soda tired after 7 games with the Clips). Let's get this out of the way now - it would be shocking if Doc hacks. You use the hack-a when the other team is at a serious FT disadvantage, meaning only the opposing squad has a hilariously bad FT shooter.
Not really a fan of these "who would you rather face" polls. Just stick to the game plan, and execute....then all the pieces will fall into place. Sure we play the Spurs great during the regular season, but it's the damn Spurs....And then the Clippers, quicker and more explosive offensively...who knows. Part of me would love to see the Rockets as the last Texas team standing though.... Either way, can't wait till Game 1.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very close call, but as far as matchup better for Rockets, starting to change my mind to Spurs <a href="http://t.co/fs5cLI0Rqn">http://t.co/fs5cLI0Rqn</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonChron">@HoustonChron</a></p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/594547517271904257">May 2, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thought Clips would be a better matchup because Ariza defends Paul, not Parker. But Parker does not look 100 %. Dwight may be better vs SA.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/594547998824079361">May 2, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Then again, not sure I'd want to see all the free throws the Spurs would make the Rockets take.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/594548507882586112">May 2, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
All these percentages are making me lean towards a Spurs-Rockets series which I didn't want. It all boils down to H and H and good defense/rebounding. Go Houston Rockets! Get ready for both of them!
Jeez. Gotta face a series looking at the likes of Paul, Griffin, and Barnes. This is gonna be painful. I liked our chances against the Spurs, and to be honest, if we ended up losing, I'd rather lose to the Spurs. Any time we might have a bad game (or even a bad play) and I have to look at those ugly Clippers faces I think I'm gonna puke. And if we end up losing to them just kill me now. And we have to deal with those awful west coast game times. Ugh.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Round 2. Game 1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> vs Clippers 8:30pm tip-off Monday, at our house. Bring the noise <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedNation?src=hash">#RedNation</a>! <a href="http://t.co/ULWNw8KhU9">pic.twitter.com/ULWNw8KhU9</a></p>— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/594695569882230784">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Let's go!!!
A beat-up Chris Paul seems to be our best bet to advance. Bring them on ... We need to pounce on them in our house.
