Props to McHale and coaching staff for making the adjustments tonight.

Was glad they started with Asik on LMA. Putting Daniels in was really nice since our other wings can't hit a bucket.

Also going with a higher scoring line up was a good move. Lin + Harden + Bev is still one of our best line ups by far in terms of creating space and forcing tough defensive switches.

PnR defense was better, though help defense rotations are still dodgy. Was nice to see Harden put in more effort on defense. He still needs work on his positioning, but at least he was trying to defend.

Was also glad to see Dwight being used more organically within the defense.

So solid job by the coaching team.

 

hhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahah

This is a joke right?

 

Mchale made adjustments based on Portland's lineup. They went small so Mchale had no choice to follow. I wouldn't give too much credit to Mchale.

 

I give him credit in that it wasn't a complete wreck, which is a big step up from the first 2 games. At least we were scoring even if we still have a tough time containing Portland's offense.

That said, they're an Elite offense, so it's not like we're the only team in the NBA that has trouble containing them.

 

Better late than never? McHale is a little... slow...

 

mchale took 2 games to make the adjustments which we all had been yelling for, but thank you for finally starting with TT. Another problem I see is portland is going to go small and play LMA at center which takes Howard out of the paint. We'll really need team defense and the whole team to crash for the rebounds. Those 2 lillard drives on harden was too easy and Lin need to help out a lot harder and faster.

 

Not sure he was really following them. McHale put Daniels in for Parsons (in Daniels' first minutes on the floor) while Blazers still had Lillard Mathews and Batum in the game. We went small first. Of course, Daniels didn't really have a shot at guarding Batum.

 

What's up with LMA getting wide open looks in the 4th? There were couple of plays. I couldn't believe it. One simple rotation the guy was open. Is Dwight too lazy to come out

 

Uh, we won by sheer luck off a broken play at the end. Pretty sure it wasn't designed for Troy to have the ball and take that clutch shot.

 

Maybe that is what it is...slow on the uptake...b/c i truly cant believe he trusted a rookie in crunch time moments of a playoff basketball game...

Regardless of what happens, the Rockets need to find a way to incorporate Daniels shooting touch more effectively.

I vote for having him in a rotation that includes Harden, Lin, Asik, Parsons/or TJones

Or in situational moments with Bev, Parsons, Harden, and Howard

Our 4 guard lineup was supposed to be torched...and stots over thought it...they were so successful with the pick and roll pulling howard to the arc and having an explosive PG attack the rim. Thought they went away from that down the stretch.

 

We still looked like **** in the 4th quarter, and OT, with our Harden iso. We still gave up open jumper after open jumper to LMA. Difference is less of T-Jones, more of Asik, and another guy in the rotation--that being Daniels.

Those are some moves he made, credit to him. However, the main issues aren't addressed:

1) Defense
2) Late-game offensive execution.

 

I've always been for the TT, although I admit that it didn't work early. But I always thought it would take time to figure out.

I think one huge adjustment that has to be made is when Dwight helps on the PnR defense with Lillard and LA. He is hedging way too long and leaving LA actually wide open for an easy 18-20 footer. If he does that alot next game, expect LA to go for 40 again.

Also, please don't have Howard be the man that doubles LA when Asik is on him. Have ANYONE else come to double team him, but do it fast and not once he has already starting going into his shooting motion.

Harden should focus on giving up the jump shot and never letting his man take him to the hole. I would rather Matthews, Batum or Lillard shoot over him that beat him to the hole consistently. He should give up a step and invite them to shot over him if he has no help defense there.

And lastly, for the LOVE OF GOD, please, pretty please stop fouling so many jump shooters. Put your hands in their face ala Battier style and stop jumping into them and giving up free throws. On the contrary, once you are beat going to the hole, foul hard and grab the man to not even let them get a shot up.

I hope McHale can make these defensive adjustments. I doubt it, but I'm praying.

 

Portland had Williams in instead of Lopez and Mchale followed. We couldn't use our best lineup with Asik/Howard due to that.

 

Every game has been close and the Asik switch was pretty much started in game 2. The Daniels move was inspired though. But to still leave Aldridge not even one on one but completely open on the pick and rolls is unacceptable. If he was shooting like he was in the first two games we are down 3-0. Still baffling that we are leaving him open.