Clutchfans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 8/22/2020 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 3)

"Errrnie all they done is hold serve at home. Now they gots to go on tha road with that midget ball. Ya know 3's don't fall as easy on tha road Errniee. And tha dribbler already shootin poorly at home. Ya know, ya know maybe they steal a game at OKC and eventually advance, don't matta they can't beat tha Lakers anyway ha huh ha"

 

Another win?

 

let’s get this win so we can put OKC out of their misery ASAP

I wouldn’t mind Harden dropping 40 as well to restore some order...it’s been awhile since a relative no-name like Dort got such a boost off of 1 game

dude went from



to



overnight

 

Lol!

 

Be patient move the ball and shoot with confidence. Avoid long 3’s. Defense all night long. Our vastly improved driving is a real boon for us. OKC can’t defend it. Keep it up!

 

He hasn't watched Lu Dort all season, oh those infidels.

First season, good defender.

Haitian represent.

Making the playoffs as the 5th seed after a rebuild, already success in my books.

Do not recall many teams capable of that.....

Asking to be on par with a contender is probably getting greedy.

 

Bless their hearts!

 

All these boring wins leading up to a boring sweep. Go Rockets!

 

Leads wise, game 2 was pretty close until Q4. Both teams played hard. Eye-test: I think the Rockets looked better most of the game, especially hustle and defense. The fact that as the game went on and fatigue set in, we looked better as the game went on. Very very good sign. Reminds me some hard fought victories against higher seeded teams in the bubble pre-playoffs.

OKC played above expectations this regular season. So kudos, but with the Rockets locked in, it's looking like a 1st season bounce.

With the game every other day, think the rhythm should still be there. Guys icing their bodies, resting, and watching film. Go Rockets!

 

Yep...they may have been a victim of their own success this season by grabbing that 5 seed. There was a reason teams were tanking to try and avoid the Rockets. Still, tip the cap to them.

 

Honestly, I didn't know the Rockets could play that kind of defense. No matter who was in for us, the players were LOCKED IN. Absolutely a sight to see. With the rotation expanding to 9 when Westbrook comes back, I could see our players being even more intense on defense and for a longer period of time (more able bodies). That really bodes well for later rounds, against better opponents, when the luxury of cruising during portions of a game might not be there.

A special shout out to Playoff House. So glad to see the young man taking a leadership role during that short span in the 4th quarter when we blew the game open.

 

FWIW, home court was more advantageous in the 8 seeding games than it was in the regular season. Even when adjusted for strength of team.

 

I hope we don’t have Stan V as color guy. He hates the Rockets and rarely talks any good during the Broadcast. Then again I hate me some Doris B as well. Slim Pickens.

 

Their switching is impressive and seamless... better than any Rockets defensive team in history (stated by none other than JVG).

The unheralded benefit of small ball... the Rockets don't have any perimeter defensive stiffs that teams try and exploit with a switch. Sure, they can post-up Steven Adams all they want, and try and force feed him as if he's Olajuwon. That very well may be their only recourse.

 

Don't need to play defense.

Just take 50+ 3s in the first quarter, then have Clemons 1v5 them in quarters 2-4. Easy game 3 victory.

 

I'd honestly be way more apprehensive about this game 3 if it was in Chesapeake Energy Arena. That crowd is nuts.

 

would’ve been Rockets by 10 instead of Rockets by 15 or 20

 

Fools gold MDA and his “gimmick” offense at it again...

 

Media crowning the Heat for hitting 18 3's (a franchise record) yesterday. Meanwhile, the Rockets messed around, built a brick house, and made 19. It's striking how philosophically different the Rockets are from everyone else.

 

GO ROCKETS!!!