ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Timberwolves 4/21/2018 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 3)

Wolves came out inspired tonight, full of energy, etc. in their first home playoff game in 14 years. They played inspired basketball and shot the lights out from 3. This was pretty predictable imo. They shot far better than they usually do. Don’t think they can replicate that in Game 4. HOU takes next game and finishes it off at home in 5.

 

I hate it when michelle beadle said she got it right and the rest of the crews apologized.

 

Looks like we gotta win @ home!

 

All this switching worked for us in the regular season because teams weren't game planing against that. In a 7 game series, its so exploitable.

Whenever they run a PnR with KAT, he has a guard in the post. We double the post and they get an open 3. Its maddening. How about we just defend that specific matchup straight up?

 

Becoz we are soft?

 

Our team can’t have too many off days. It shows. I expect Monday to be a “boring” win for the rockets.

 

Bout to see what Melo does as a third option in Utah.

 

Game 6 is never going away until they play unexpectedly well and make the NBA finals.

 

I still think we can recapture the magic but we have to push the pace and obviously shoot better.

 

I love Harden but he aint helping his narrative.

Positive from tonight was Road Rhino coming back and making some nice plays. Its almost like now being on the outside of the rotation he has zero ****s to give anymore and so is just playing loose.

 

Wit

Without rhyno, its a total blowout.

 

harden shot **** in the 2nd game, everyone else shot **** in the 1st game.. but they competed, fought, and played hard and smart on both ends that's why we won both games.. give them some credit at least.. don't generalize everything..

and for this game after 14 years Wolves were the hungier team tonight

no one blows out a team 20 pts in the POs by playing ****.. LOL
you're worse than a fair weather fan

 

The Rockets looked satisfied with winning their home games which is very disappointing. The Rockets came out with no fire or intensity and no killer instinct of a number 1 seed that wants to win a championship.

 

The Rockets need to be at a level that transcends "match ups" to beat the Warriors in a 7 game series .We are talking about a team that can go 16-0 when healthy in the playoffs.

The Warriors are elite enough were matach you don't mean **** .They are just that much better. From the talk from our team and this board, our goal is the Warriors.

 

The primary reason Harden struggles in the playoffs is because he can't consistently knock down shots when pressured. Tough shot makers flourish in the playoffs such as Hakeem, but Harden is the opposite in that he needs certain amount of space in order to make shots at a decent percentage. This is where Kobe is far superior than Harden, because at times Kobe just made ridiculous shots no matter how heavily guarded. Harden not so much, and you can kind of game plan against him.

 

You can guard them...instead of leaving them wide open - that would be a great start.

DD

 

Not trying to blame the loss on one single player, but does it appear the Wolves made their 2 big runs (first half and second half) after Anderson was in? A close game becomes a blowout?

 

The only thing that will make me ok with this loss is an OKC loss.

 

Disappointing game for sure. It's like the team is just overconfident and feels like the can coast to an easy series win. Hopefully we can get a groove going on Monday night and work ourselves into a hot streak leading into the second round.

This doesn't overly concern me though. Don't let the 1 v 8 matchup fool you. Minny would've probably finished 3 or 4 had Butler not gotten hurt. This is one of the more talented 8 seeds in recent years.

 

This wasn’t pretty but like a lot of others here I was sweating and hand wringing through the 94 chip. I’m not comparing the teams because there is no comparison but I didn’t give up then and I’m not going to give up now. Lots of ball to be played before we jump off the cliff and give up on our guys.