ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 1/15/2013

FWIW, the team's schedule gets considerably lighter after January. Specifically, below is the # of back-to-back sets in each month this season:

NOV 4
DEC 4
JAN 6
FEB 3
MAR 2
APR 2


January is by far the worst month schedule wise both in terms of lack of rest days and in terms of # of away games. If they come out of the month above .500, they should at least face their opponents under more favorable conditions.

 

They are coming of a back2back without CP3. Increases our chances by that much. Morris needs to start hitting those 3s and Asik needs to improve his FTs.

 

For all the flack Del Negro has received, at least he plays to his team's strengths and uses his bench. If McHale doesn't learn to adapt, we will still loose this game with their bigs. We need to use Smith, Jones & even Aldrich or D-Mo. Delfino needs to play a lot too, give Beverly a shot and sit Pat, Morris & Asik if they cannot rebound or defend!! CP3 out is not enough for us to win..

 

If CP3 doesn't play Rockets win.

 

they just beat the Griz . . .

 

is lin playing tonight.. last night CP3 sat out, so I am not sure he is 100% either..

 

Good! If they were coming off of a loss, they would be more focused and take it out on us.

 

Feels like there hasn't been a game in forever.

Let's hope Lin plays and Paul doesn't.

 

If Lin doesn't play I hope we get to see Beverley. He's very quick and can really push the ball up the court. After watching him play with the Vipers I think Rockets fans are going to love this guy. He plays with a lot of confidence and likes to pass the ball, and he appears to be streaky hot from 3 point range.

 

Agreed...First game of the season so I'm ready! Go Rockets!

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lin says he is good to go tonight.</p>&mdash; Jason Friedman (@JasonCFriedman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonCFriedman/status/291223803722358784" data-datetime="2013-01-15T16:42:20+00:00">January 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

For the team tonight:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lTb_5oPqCys" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I always wonder if these "sprain" ankle injuries was put forth to generate more hits on the reporter's twitter account. It wouldn't be the first time that people used Lin's name to boost their ratings.

 

uhh Jason Friedman isn't that kind of person , and he was not the only one to report this , Jonathan Feigen and Ho Chen also tweeted the same things , his injury was legit

 

depends what you need....if you want shooting/instant offense off the bench you go with TD.

 

Tuesday's Shootaround Interviews (01/15/2013)

Jeremy Lin
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/15/ZOOM0001MOV-2354921

James Harden:
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/15/ZOOM0002MOV-2354922

Kevin McHale:
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/15/ZOOM0003MOV-2354924

Patrick Beverley
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/15/ZOOM0002MOV-2354922

 

That would be a fair assessment except for the reality that almost all of the opposing PGs who do well only do well in the last minutes of the 1st and 3rd when Tney Uglas is guarding them.

This has been so much of a trend, I am pretty sure it's now in virtually every scouting report: When Uglas is on the court lately, good opposing PGs have been looking to attack him disproportionately.

 

Jason Friedman is a stellar journalist who doesn't need to "use" anyone's name.

 

Hey guys just thought you might want a little info from the Clippers side. The Clippers struggle the most with with teams that swing the ball well and bang down a ton of 3's. You guys seem to have multiple guys that can run up the scoreboard from deep so that worries me. As for fatigue the Clippers played nobody over 30 minutes last night besides Odom so should have fresh legs after a 26 point win.

The biggest issue Houston will have is if the Clippers bring their defense. They are the 3rd ranked defense in the NBA and regularly hold teams 7 or 8 minutes without a bucket. If your team attacks the defense you have a chance but if you shoot a bunch of jumpshots it's probably a loss. Asik and Harden will be unguardable. Too big and strong for the opposing players on our team.

One thing to think about though is Bledsoe is going to eat Lin alive most likely. Lin has a knack for turnovers and Bledsoe is tops in the league in steals rate. Not to mention tops in offensive rebound rate and shotblocking among ALL guards. In other words Lin is going to have a problem.

 

Hey, how about calling Douglas by his real name. You may not like Douglas as a player, but he's still a Rocket, and plays hard every time he steps on the floor.