ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Spurs 5/1/2017 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

They get 3 days between games which will be beneficial, but I'm thinking more about the overall toll the Memphis series took on them. It's the same effect I saw on the Rockets as the series with OKC(a physical team in their own right) wore on.

Ariza and Bev will likely take turns. I wouldn't mind seeing D'Antoni aggressively double team him like the Grizzlies were doing last night. It forced Parker and Lee to make plays to beat them. I can live with that. What I don't want is to allow Kawhi to decide the games since he seems to be a far more reliable player in the 4th quarter than anyone else on that roster.

 

That's fine. Harden can get him into foul trouble and tire him to affect his play on offense. People act like Kawhi is the be all end all greatest defender ever. He's not.

 

I hope he does for the entirety of the game. That way is he is tired and worn down. Let his offense and efficiency suffer. Harden has proved he can still be effective against elite perimeter defenders, albeit not historically dominant but rather just really good. Not too mention the foul trouble he would put him in.

 

who guards ryan anderson?

 

Kawhi doesn't get called for fouls.

And Pop isn't going to do that when he's got a capable defender in Danny Green to take the majority of minutes on Harden.

Kawhi will only be put on Harden with the game on the line.

 

The rim, the backboard, and the air.

 

Ryan Anderson himself.

 

But Harden is the best in the business at drawing fouls, "warranted" or not, playoffs or not. Something's gotta give. Harden may not get everything called for him, but Kawhi won't get away with everything either. Can't have it both ways.

 

Ok that's funny. lol

 

Parker destroyed Memphis with pnr midrange jumpers while Conley kept trying to shoot 3's.

 

It was pick your poison, as Harden had good series

• 30-9-12
• 47% FG%
• 60% TS%
• 9 fta per game, which is actually above average when you account for slower pace of those games.

 

My pessimistic prediction is the Rockets come out to a slow start and end up getting blown out.

Game 2 Ryan Anderson gets benched for Eric Gordon. We steal that one and Anderson quickly becomes an albatross contract.

Optimistic prediction is Popovic sticks with LMA and David Lee in the starting lineup, Harden drops 45, and we win in a fairly close game.

 

I'll be curious to see how the Rockets defend Parker. They conceded the midrange jumper to Westbrook because he can blow by his defender so easily. Parker doesn't have that kind of speed anymore. I think Bev and Gordon can guard him a little tighter.

 

I think bev goes under the pick and dares him to shoot 3s. Which I'm okay cause he not that good.

 

He does, he's just the beat in the biz at defending and not fouling.

I know he won't and I know it will be a lot on green. I was responding to another post saying I hope he does.

Yes, this is accurate.

 

Ordinarily I'd agree with that. But he hit a couple 3's back-to-back against the Rockets in the last game they played in San Antonio during that 3rd quarter run. For some reason certain players(*cough* Roberson *cough*) become good 3-point shooters when they face us.

 

Ordinarily I'd agree with that. But he hit a couple 3's back-to-back against the Rockets in the last game they played in San Antonio during that 3rd quarter run. For some reason certain players(*cough* Roberson *cough*) become good 3-point shooters when they face us.

 

Boring win and we will like it.

 

His three point shot.

 

As long as they steal a game in SA and I expect them to take one