ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 1/5/2017

Despite OKC climbing back at the end and making it tightly contested, it was a great game to be at. Atmosphere was legit tonight. And for non-basketball sightings, Andre Johnson was there. Obviously Kuechle, but Aj Hinch and some other Astros brass were there too.

 

I haven't seen it mentioned in the Westbrook love, but that last shot timing was terrible. The Rockets should not have had 4 seconds to run a play, but Westbrook wanted to take a contested shot too early. In that situation, OT should have been the Thunder's worst case scenario.

 

Harden also played way too passive during crucial moments and struggled to score against Roberson, which is becoming a pattern now. Sometimes the team needs you to score, not just stand around idly by watching other 4 guys make plays.

 

Man are you being a negative Nancy tonight or what? We won. Enjoy it.

 

You have to give OKC some credit, they really hammered us on the boards and in the paint where they have a size advantage. Westbrook had maybe his best shooting night of the year. Roberson played excellent defense tonight on Harden, he really took away his shot late in the game. OKC is sort of like Memphis, just not a very good matchup for us I think. Which makes coming away with the W all the more impressive for the Rockets.

Kudos to MDA for the solid play calling at the end, and for Harden choosing to execute this and not get into chuck off against Westbrook. OKC was clearly expecting Harden to take that final shot and in previous seasons he probably would have. It just goes to show you how Harden has really matured and is buying into what MDA is selling. Good sign for things to come.

 

This game was similar to the Spurs except Westbrook misses when it counted. When the game is tight, the Rockets seem to be hesitant on shots, but many more tight games it will eventually work itself out. The come back started with Westbrook out of the lineup, he was on the bench when they started clawing it back with Enes.

 

Fixed

 

Nene played great, clutch free throws too. Some people will be upset that we lost a big lead, but we had to eliminate one too.

 

Would have still cost at least 3 tenths

 

Ariza and Gordon missed some wide open haymaker 3's near the end. The only real mistake I think that Harden made was the three pointer he took that got blocked by Roberson. Even that was just a spectacular play by Roberson - most defenders wouldn't have been able to reach Harden's shot in time.

You can't sit there now and criticize Harden for prioritizing the creation of open three point shots for his teammates over looking for his own shot. He was making the right basketball play almost every time down the floor. If I were to criticize Harden about something tonight, it would be for his slow pace in the 4th quarter.

 

Harden did enough to get his team a win.

In the last two minutes, Westbrook did enough to get his team a loss.

 

LOL at posters saying this game hurt Harden's MVP credentials. They ENHANCED them. Go look online, Westbrook is getting roasted for his play down the stretch and is being called for what he is, a man who takes a shot a minute he's on the court. In saying that Westbrook was absolutely unreal tonight, but there's no way he will ever shoot that well ever again period. The general consensus across social media is: MVP's win games. Rockets = W. Westbrook shot his team out of the game, Harden made the game winning play.

28-9 b****es.

 

Not defending Westbrick here, but there was a difference of 4 seconds on the shot and game clock. Rockets were guaranteed to have a shot assuming they could come up with a rebound (wasn't easy for the Rockets to do in this game).

 

so leading MVP candidate who's responsible for around half of Rockets total score, had 12 asists vs westbrick's 5

, makes an amazing play vs a stat padder who hoists a shot with 4 seconds to go

and you cry like a little b**** about he stoood idly around watching other guys make plays?

 

Wow GP just changed his mind by watching this game. Before the game he said Westbrook was his MVP, but now, in Area21, he is only talking about Harden.

Shaq is a gawd damn Buffoon.

 

AJ was at the wiz game on Monday. I went to that game and am stoked they won both games. They could easily have lost both.

AJ and some stros on Mon too btw.

 

The 4th quarter is more of what you will see in the Playoffs. Every game against us this year OKC has amped up their defense in the 4th quarter and we have found no way to score. This will be a major problem in the Playoffs. This gives credence to the notion that Mike D'Antoni is less effective in the playoffs. Every time will be playing hard on defense for 4 quarters.

 

some people are only happy when they are sad.


jeez man. im just sitting back here enjoying watching this season and all i'm reading is why i shouldn't be happy about it



good grief

 

Deleting a few words changes EVERYTHING

Yep....... changes EVERYTHING

 

So Westbrook can't even outdo Brewer. Scrub!