Who would you rather face in the first round?

I would like Memphis especially with Gashol out. More likely we get Spurs or Thunder. Our chances against either of these teams are about the same. Uphill climb, but I think we match up fairly well against both. Any team can get hot at the right time. Yes, we will likely lose, but that is not a lock.

 

i'm so excited about the next four games. if they don't do well, it's somewhat expected so we can brush it off as learning experience for a young team and still be positive for next year. however if they do extremely well, this playoffs is gonna be one to remember.

i know i may be over emphasizing these games but i really think they will show what this team and coaching staff are capable of this year in the playoffs

 

Grizllies

 

All three are consider championship caliber teams. The traits that makes them stand out from the Rockets are: Dept, defenses, coaching, the abilities to close out games, and experiences. As the team nears the end of the season, the only area we can work on is defense. The other areas will take time as the young team ages. That being said, the Thunder, the second best team in the NBA. Why? Harden knows a thing or two about them and as I recall from last years finals when Miami basically swept them because of the lack of ball moving and going to just ISO. Westbrook and Durant will get their points regardless. The others players on the team needs to be lock down defensively in early minutes and when that happen, they will defer the ball back to Westbrook or Durant which in turns, the rockets five are playing a two-man team. Ball moving and utilizing all five players on the court will win the game.

 

movement***

 

Memphis. Maybe the Clippers.

 

Spurs, because we're younger and at least 2 of our matchups didn't really count because 1 without Harden and 2 refs screwed us giving Harden that 5th foul. Also I find it almost kind of embarrassing that we have never faced the Spurs with Duncan in the playoffs ever. And they're in our division.

 

Memphis.

 

I'm honestly least scared of OKC. They forget they have a team at times and all they do is hero ball.

 

Who we have the best chance of beating:

Feel like we could hang with the Grizzlies. Would be our perimeter shooting vs their toughness in the post. Would be a tough one.

Who everyones wants to see:
Us vs. OKC. Harden vs his old team. Would make for some great drama and storylines, which is what the league would want.

 

OKC is the best team in the West and it's not even close really, especially with shortened rotation and with Durant and Westbrook playing heavy minutes.

Winning one game in series against them would be a success.

 

I think our best chance is against the Thunder... Durant and Westbrook have never proved anything in the playoffs without Harden. The Rockets don't have to worry about doubling OKC bigs and Westbrook will help the Rockets keep the ball out of Durants hands.

And plus every game will be like a home game for Harden.

 

first of all, WE'RE NOT ADVANCING TO THE SECOND ROUND!!!

i just want us to get playoff experience, 6 games. so memphis would be the best choice. okc and spurs would sweep us.

 

No way I want to face the Nuggets. They have the perfect style to shut the Rockets down.

Not a good match-up for the Rockets even if their record isn't as good as the Spurs or Thunder.

I think the Rockets have the best chance against the Thunder by default.

 

Definitely not San Antonio. I guess it wouldn't be out of the question to upset OKC, but Westbrook probably is the difference. I wouldn't wanna face Denver today, but they'll come back to Earth within a month. I think the Superstar vs. no Superstar makes a huge difference. The playoffs tend to be more halfcourt oriented, where Houston was #1 2 weeks before the Robinson trade.

 

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Only team I think we could probably advance on without their line up suffering a major injury would be Memphis. While they are great defensively, outside of their bigs, they don't have a legit scoring threat that can go off consistently.

Of the 3, Denver only because based on the first game, we will know how far out of our depth the team is against for the series.

 

I agree(although maybe not as emphatically), but if I had to choose between those three teams, I go with the Thunder. They scare me less than the Spurs and Nuggets, and c'mon, it'll be the most hyped matchup in the first round with Harden facing his old team(although Spurs vs. Lakers would be a very close second).

 

Poll results really surprised me with how many people chose OKC. i honestly dont think we have a balls chance in beating OKC in the first round. not this year at least.