ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Blazers 2/25/2016

Great to see a terrific all round offensive performance from the Beard. He pulled us out of trouble and led us to victory.

The alley oop from Harden to Howard at 97-95 was nice, but the lack of Pick and Roll between them remains a big problem. Although it was great to see James posting up, but Dwight needs to establish himself deep in the paint, to give him a chance of finishing around the basket. His lack of post moves and poor free throwing does make it hard for James to trust him, but there is no other way to get the job done. I want to see more of Josh Smith in the paint too.

Dwight still is the anchor of our defense and our best rebounder. Go Harden, Go Howard! Go Houston Rockets!

 

Holy crap harden! 44-15 run to win the game

 

Looks like Bev had a good game.

 

I'm surprised they came back and won. I turned it off at half after that half court 3 was made by Portland. I honestly thought the Rockets would lie down in the second half...and it appears they almost did going down by 21 points.

But, it figures it took a monster performance from Harden to win the game. It's really the only way the Rockets win big games anymore. It's kind of like fool's gold in the sense that it won't work in the playoffs most nights. We know that by now. Therefore, I'm not too excited we won honestly. I suppose if the D was really good in the second half, then that is something.

 

Oh my God Harden went berserk. Went to sleep at halftime. Gotta rewatch this thing.

I'm sure the usual Harden hate crew was very disappointed

 

yes we're very salty and our tears have now dried up and turned to salt and we dont know what to do

at least he didnt get a triple double

 

*nods*

I basically only watched the fourth quarter myself and Harden was unconscious. Team including Harden was playing pretty good defense and just playing with effort. They look like a completely different team, an elite team, when they play with effort.

I tried to stay up for Inside the NBA but I passed out before they talked about the Rockets. It was all Warriors, Curry, and top three in the West. You know they would have been hating on us first thing if we lost

 

What do you want him to say when we lose?

I also went to sleep at halftime. First half was so bad. Not sure why we have so many of those this year

 

Tired getting up at 4:30 this AM, but great to see the turnaround in Q3. Small ball lineup was the catalyst, with the PF (Ariza) guarding their PG and our SG (Harden) guarding the PF. Which allowed Harden to float a bit and help defend. And for the most part (brief exception when Harrell subbed in) it was Jet, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, Howard. Jones, Smith, Lawson might as well stayed in the locker room.

Defense hounded the Blazers on the perimeter while Dwight covered the paint. So the wide open threes weren't there. And the Rockets quit surrendering the offensive boards.

Other takeaways: Bev was active on boards and made a few shots and passes but defensively he is still slow and makes ego-related fouls. Brewer was the Greyhound from last season. Harden played 46 of 48 minutes, and while visibly tired on a few plays, seemed driven by the crowd MVP chants for Lilliard ("driven" being the key... didn't always settle for the three, drove more and took efficient midranges). Athreeza was not there last night, but Ariza defended Lilliard as well as you could hope. Glad to see a team get caght with their pants down with the Hacka at 1:59.

 

I feel bad for the losers who went to sleep at half time and missed the incredible comeback and 2nd half performance. Fake Rockets fans :grin:

#neverlosefaith

#pursuit

 

Felt like the Clippers game part 2

 

All I could think about was why don't they play like this more often, we would not be struggling for that 8th spot if they put that much effort into both ends of the floor.

This team is talented - but for some reason they don't bring it night in and night out. A good coach, I believe could help them bring it more often.

DD

 

Ding ding ding!

 

This team isn't that talented. That's where you've fooled yourself. Harden was exceptional last night. His starting SF went 1 for 10. His point guard, as much as I love him, is a below average starter. They're getting nothing from the PF position on this team at all. Their bench is weak.

I'm in total agreement with you that they need a real coach....but the players around Harden aren't good enough right now.

 

DAMMMN HARDEN!! BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE 40+ POINT GAME!

 

Ya I definitely agree with you on this one. We have good role players who are playing pretty crappy all year (bev, brewer, tjones etc.) The talent gap between us and the top teams in the west is wide.. at first i didnt want to believe it but last year everyone played up to their potential and played their asses off.. this year is basically what was suppose to be last year when we struck out on bosh and didnt resign parsons.

 

I admittedly went to bed shortly after half when the margin got wider. Figured they'd just lay over and die. Glad that I was wrong and should've stayed up to watch it.

 

this. x3.

 

Stat padder gonna stat pad.

 

I'm admittedly another who turned off at halftime.

Our play was SO atrocious, it was embarrassing and unbearable to watch.

Was AMAZED to hear we came back to win this game.
Let's hope it unleashes some fight in our boys for the rest of the season.

We're gonna need it