ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 5/4/2015 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

That was Griffin's first game back. He clearly wasn't in shape.

 

No way this will be east. Hoping rockets are more focused this series. They need to be engaged all 4 quarters

 

This. All the media see Clippers won a grueling game 7 and think that they will be in the WCF. But closer to reality is that Rockets is clearly superior team here. A gimpy CP3 is an easy cover for Ariza/Brewer. JMoove can handle dribble-happy Griffin. They got absolutely nobody to stop Harden. Also I don't think Jordan and Griffin are good defenders to stop playoff Dwight/JSmoove. Their bench is super thin.

I see this series similar to Dallas series, a gentleman's sweep. Rockets takes 2 games at home, steals 1 in LA, and closes out in Game 5.

 

I think with the Rockets the keys to winning remain consistent and become more important with each round:

Play intense defense. Minimize open shots. Keep an eye on the ball. Don't let up ever.

Limit the turnovers. You go up against the Clippers or Warriors with those lazy passes and broken plays and they'll kill you in ways the Mavs couldn't fully take advantage of.

And making them pay for the intentional hacking tactic would be really cool, too.

I think the Rockets' ultimate success depends on how well they pull this stuff off.

 

Even though the Rockets announced Bev won't be back this season, I've been told he will be back after May 20th.

 

Three keys for this series:

1. Transition Defense
2. Half court Defense
3. Free throw

That's all.

 

you wonder if Rivers will go deep into his bench and rest CP3, basically conceding game 1

 

The factor is going to be rebounds (and fouls trouble). It's hard guys, really hard...

 

Not me, Warriros got a break 2 why not us

 

i seriously doubt it

 

That's when his cast comes off. And even then, its going to depend on how he's feeling after that date. Knowing Bev, I think he's coming back May 20th as soon as he's cleared.
That being said...
1) We have to beat Clips first, not an easy series.
2) Golden State looks unstoppable right now. Maybe Memphis beats them up a bit and we see some vulnerabilities, but right now they look crazy good.
3) DAMN IT DMO.

 

Dwight v DeAndre will be epic. This is the series we need Batman. James has to bring it every game. They have the star power to match, If our guys can win those matchups I have much more faith in our bench than in theirs. Rockets in 6.

 

Fortunately don't think we'll see this vs the clips ... Would have loved to play the Spurs but I'm extremely relieved to be facing another team with a crappy ft shooter

 

I forgot how to embed tweets...

Arash Markazi ✔@ArashMarkazi
"Doc said he's very concerned about Chris Paul. How concerned? He said if he had to guess he would not play Game 1 on Monday."
10:06 PM - 2 May 2015

 

Red nation 6 point favs. All you doubters - easy money for you

 

Just remember:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dwight Howard didn't play in any of the Rockets' 4 meetings with the Clippers this season.</p>&mdash; John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnschuhmann/status/594705718219055104">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

I thought he played in one of those.......

 

The only way for an epic Dwight vs DeAndre will be Hack-a-Dwight vs Hack-a-DeAndre. After a 6-hour, 150 FT marathon, Silver had to call an emergency governors meeting to ban Hack-A on the spot.

Other than that, Dwight sv DeAndre will not be close. Dwight is a 2-way best center in the league. While DeAndre only does put back on offense, and is actually a poor post defender.

 

You can tell espn la, lakers fans, and other fans who hate dwight are all huge clippers fans all of a sudden. I wonder if hollywood stars will show up for this game. Bandwagonners.

The nba knows how to sell drama. The rockets got revenge on dallas for stealing parsons in round one, and the lake...clippers fans will want revenge for taking dwight from them in round two.

 

Neither did most of the nba. Outside of the last two meetings the clippers have been tough for the rockets. Jordan looks like the other jordan against us. Deandre can counter dwight and you can tell he is looking to get paid. I have no idea how they stop harden, but they do. I think they wear him out on defense by making him chase crawford and reddick through screens when he is on the floor.

Cp3 is gonna take advantage of our pg situation.