Clutchfans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 8/18/2020 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

Billy Donovan really does not like to double.

Even against Harden.

 

This is what motivates Harden to play fast, converting on TOV.

Not just creating turnovers but quickly capitalizing those turnovers into points.

OKC hates to defend in transition.





Even though the Rockets are faced by this rebounding deficit, the +2.9 turnover margin means that they still only allow 1.6 more field goal attempts per 100 possessions than they take themselves. For comparison, the Toronto Raptors allow 1.1 more field goals and the Milwaukee Bucks allow a whopping 3.3 more field goals than they take.

And the Houston Rockets allow just 32.2 3-point attempts per 100 possessions, but they take (hang on to your hats for this one, folks) 46.3 3-pointers themselves since the trade deadline. That’s up from their average of 43.3 on the season, and even up from their full-season average last year of 45.8.

 

Thunder are at their best in tight games.

Rockets not hitting their 3's will give OKC the advantage during clutch situations.

 

EGo taking defensive assignment on Paul as a challenge.

 

This is a really tough choice.

Weigh in CF!

I might choose Lou for when Harden sits, but Trez has been a beast this season.

 

Closing lineup should be:

Harden-Covington-Tucker-Green

And whoever is hottest between House-Gordon-Rivers-McLemore.

 

Infinity War graphic was cool, just not entirely accurate.

Unless they know something we don't?

 

Kevin Martin in his prime was a scoring machine.

 

That’s encouraging . It’s only one game

 

A good picture of James! For once he doesn't look like he's standing in a police lineup of murder suspects.

 

Donovan/Thunder prefers to pack paint instead of doubling Harden, shooters are standing in parking lots.

 

This is evidence to me that Russ needs to stop jumping so high on his jumper lol.

 

See he has to take it to the hole on those. Its no advantage if they run smalls.againet smalls just shooting 3s...when they go small.he has to attack the rim