ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 3/29/2014

He got burned repeatedly by Darren Collison. Also had 4 TO's. But who cares, if his name isn't Jeremy, he must be better right?

 

So what was the original point again? I forgot since it was awhile ago, but it seemed like someone suggested that James Harden not playing was the reason we beat the Clippers last time, correct?

So the implication was that if James Harden wasn't "ball hogging" and Jeremy Lin was "allowed" to roam free we would have won against the Clippers? Is that what you're suggesting?

 

First off, Lin was 1-9 from the field, and 8-8(not 6-6) from the free throw line. It's actually not possible to score 10 points on 1 made field goal and 6 ft's. Therefore, it's also not possible to score 8 points on 1 FG and 4FT. That kind of destroys the rest of what you posted there, so I'll fix that for you.

To start with, I'm not throwing out Lin's 2 ft's at the end of the game. Collison actually scored on the play before, so they're probably even there.

Secondly, you can't equate TO to missed shots because missed shots present an opportunity for an offensive rebound, while a turnover does not.

Therefore, I'll just use TS%. Lin's was 39.9%, while Collison's was 34.9%. Both are terrible, but Lin's is actually better due to his free throws, which are of course very efficient.

On to rebounds. On a per48 basis, Collison outrebounds Lin 5.83-3.04. That seems to be a clear advantage for Collison. As for your assertion that the coaches dictate that Lin retreat on defense rather than hit the offensive boards, here are some interesting stats:

Code:

                 min         oreb
Jeremy Lin       28.8        0.4
Patrick Beverley 31.3        1.3
Aaron Brooks     16.7        0.5

Apparently, this rule about getting back only applies to Lin, since Bev gets far more offensive rebounds, and even microscopic Aaron Brooks got more in way less minutes.

On to the rest of the stats, which you mostly ignored:
Assists Lin 2 Collison 5
Turnovers Lin3 Collison 0
Steals Lin 0 Collison 4

Collison clearly outplayed Lin in these areas. Likely the reason you left them out.

Actually, Deandre Jordan is now 2nd in "defensive impact", not rim protection. As far as his rim protection goes, he contests a lot of shots, but he allows opponents to shoot 49.7% on shots he contests(the same as Dmo and Parsons). As for the Clippers as a team, they are 17th in defensiveFG% within 5 feet of the basket, and 20th in FGs made. The league seems to be able to score in the paint against them. BTW, the Pelicans and Anthony Davis are significantly worse than the Clippers.

The reality of why the Clippers defense is good is that they give up the lowest 3P% against in the league. And before people start talking about more midrange shots, they also give up the lowest percentage there.

I was unclear on this point. Chris Paul is one of the best players in the league. He's very difficult to stop, but what you can do is hold him to his averages of 19pts, 11ast, and 2.4to. What you can't do is allow him to get 30 and 12 with 1to.

Harden had a good game against the Clippers. Not a great game, but not a terrible game like earlier in the season. If James and Dwight can both play well, then we have a chance to beat the Clippers.

We will not beat the Blazers with Bev and Dwight both out of the lineup. Backing up Asik with a non center and Lin with an untested rookie would not get it done. Fortunately, it appears we have a good chance to have both of them.

As for the Clippers, they are only a bad matchup if Harden is going to go 4-15 or 6-16 without getting to the line.

 

Yeah because a guy getting his first serious minutes ever in the NBA is the same thing as Jeremy Lin having a terrible in his 3rd season with serious minutes.

 

terrible game*