ClutchFans Game Thread: Warriors @ Rockets 5/14/2018 (Western Conference Finals, Game 1)

Rockets were trying to force the corner 3 to Tucker for a while. GSW picked up on this and sniffed the passing lane resulting in a late turnover. Luc missed several gimmes at the basket. Have to give Warriors credit for their discipline defensively.

There are a lot of positives to take from this game. Durant won’t go nuclear from the midrange again. Everyone acts like the dude is automatic but he has several stinker games too. Klay also. They were both on fire yesterday and there isn’t much you can do. Capela did great guarding Durant and Curry in space.

Rockets will get it corrected and go to Oakland 1-1. Astros lost Game 1 as well.

Gotta believe. I don’t think I’ve had this much faith in a Rockets team...maybe ever.

 

1. Ryan Anderson -Playoffs: 2.7 ---Season: 9.3 --- GAME 1: 0 <---- ******
2. Trevor Ariza -Playoffs: 8.6 ---Season: 11.7 --- GAME 1: 8
3. Clint Capela -Playoffs: 14.2 ---Season: 13.9 --- GAME 1: 12
4. Eric Gordon -Playoffs: 13.1 ---Season: 18 --- GAME 1: 15
5. Gerald Green -Playoffs: 6.3 ---Season: 12.1 --- GAME 1: 6
6. Luc MBah Moute -Playoffs: 3.3 ---Season: 7.5 --- GAME 1: 0 <---- ******
7. NeNE -Playoffs: 2.8 ---Season: 6.5 --- GAME 1: 0 <---- ******
8. PJ TUcker -Playoffs: 8.3 ---Season: 6.1 --- GAME 1: 3 <---- ******
9. Chris Paul -Playoffs: 21.9 ---Season: 18.6 --- GAME 1: 23
10. James Harden -Playoffs: 29.6 ---Season: 30.4 --- GAME 1: 41

If the ******* Rockets were Average - We Win

We don't need perfection
We need the role players to be Average
Be there Regular Season Average and we blowing them out

Rocket River

 

As I and others said before, this will take 'all hands on deck' to win. It's really that simple.

 

Initiating sports media blackout until the next game.

 

game 1 was never a must win like many wanted to believe it was. game 2 is as close as it gets to be, before an obvious elimination situation

 

KD is a monster from midrange and almost from everywhere, Klay is aa crazy shooter, and Curry has not even played his best game.
I expect the Rockets to bounce back in game 2 and tie the series, and steal a game in Oakland.
Warriors in 6

 

At least the crowd was loud

 

The Warriors defense was superb game 1. They switched and then stayed home on the shooters + baited the passes to the corners. They took away one of the key aspects of our Harden/Cp3 offense and that's creating shots for the other players. By staying home a majority of the time on the shooters, Harden had to work non stop to get points. He had 41 pts and we still lost. If they keep staying home on our shooters, Harden is going to be worn out and we're in for a short series.

 

Too me KD was the only impressive player on their team in game 1. Rockets just have to have more killer instinct.

 

The truth is the rockets can live with Durant going off but not 3 of them. There just isn’t enough help and it’s not helping how much iso they are playing

 

I think you guys are WAY overrating Iguodala.
I don't see how having him switch teams would tip the scales here.
He's not that big of an impact player.

 

He was saying, no Iggy on the GSW would mean no Death lineup and the Rox would have an easier time, I dun agree with that either.

 

the only way to beat the hampton 5 is to insert ryno, but he has to shoot those god damn 3s.

 

We can either b**** abt it for the next several years,

NeNe had no business out there. This series is not for him. Not sure any series is for him at this point. Tucker can't be on the floor if he doesn't hit at least 2 threes, same with Luc. We need their defense, but we need scoring a lot more.

Capela on KD is fine on the switch, but that's about it. The only way to stop KD when he's firing like that is to stop him from shooting -- ie ball denial.

 

We should've thrown Zhou Qi on Durant

 

IMO Nash was a far better PG than Harden. Harden is an amazing player, and definitely a better overall player than Nash. But Nash was one of the greatest I've seen, particularly in that up and down frantic pace. His ability to keep his dribble alive and run around circles until someone got open was beautiful.

We need more of that. More off ball movement so Harden/CP can find slashers which in turn will open up the threes. Harden was too predictable with his passes last night and the other 4 guys made it even easier by not moving an inch when Harden drove.

 

ESPN seems so giddy with the result, for a moment they were worried the Rockets would scare the Warriors, but now they feel order has been restored.

 

People need to stop worrying so much about Durant. He's unstoppable and that's all there is to it. The Rockets need to focus on limiting everyone else. They need to bother Curry and try guarding Klay on the 3 pt. line. That's a tall order but at least it can accomplished because those guys aren't 7-footers who can rise over every single guy on the court for a clear shot or a well-placed pass. Let Durant get his points and beat up everyone else. Rockets defense last night was completely unprepared for the Warriors' playmaking.