ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 4/24/2013 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

Rockets by 3.

 

I think we lose this one too, but we make it much closer. Harden gets his average but shoots more shots than efficient, and racks up a few TO's. Expect Asik to contribute a double double. Lin should have a better showing, but I doubt he barely breaks double digits in points, but gets his average in assists and turn overs. Beverley should chip in 12 points, but racks up quite a few fouls.

I think our X-Factor will be in Delfino. If he's on fire, we might make them sweat. I'm hoping for a line up of Lin-Beverley-Smith-Fino-Parsons during a stretch, where we might be within inches of taking the lead or fighting for a tie.

 

Lin started 82 games, and we had a winning season and are competing in playoffs. Lin also started the game we won against OKC, and was a huge part of it.

But hey, since Lin had a terrible game in his first ever playoff experience against the No 1 seed. The sky is falling, and it just automatically made Beverly a better starter in playoffs. Yup, this just makes all the logical and basketball senses.

 

we have no interior presence, and they're exploiting it by switching on every screen.

And there's not a great deal we can do about it.

 

I dont know about you guys, but the rockets has brought this onto themselves once again. I couldnt even recall how many times have we gotten into the playoffs at a higher seed then what we actually are like few games before the season was over.

This season is the same with games that we should of won vs Suns and Lakers. Those games could of change our destiny with a more favorable matchups. It's all due to the hype with fans and Stern. I recalled when Stern wanted rockets vs lakers in playoffs now Rockets vs Thunders.

Do you seriously think we got what it takes to beat Thunders in best of 7? Maybe 1 to 2 games top. Best we hope is not getting sweep.

Harden is what he is, not a superstar but a star scorer. Lin is the same as a scorer. This team really needs a superstar and couple of solid players.

 

Based on how we've played recently i'm guessing this game is going to be torturous to watch..

 

I believe!!

 

Well Lin and Harden are on two different levels as far as scoring goes and being a star scorer. One was voted by coaches as an allstar and one wasn't... There is a reason for that too. I hope Lin doesn't have many more 4 point games in the future too.

 

Love that we ended up getting the 6:00 slot. Thank you, Laker bandwagon!

 

Amen! Now I can fall asleep on another game.

 

GO GO GO HOUSTON! It's all about the glory...

 

Bev is no way better than Lin. At least with Lin, McHale some time would give a go switch on handling the ball. For Bevelry, his only function is carry the ball to half court and hand it over to Harden.

If you have watch the last few games before the playoff, included game 1, when we were down, and Harden and Parson were benched, Rockets had a nice run with Lin directing the offense. As soon as the score was even, McHale called timed out and subbed Harden and Parson back in and ball movement stop and the game was lost.

Yes, if you look at the score by itself, Lin is garbage. Even with those 10+ to 2 run, Lin himself didn't score much. But with his presenting it, he made everyone on the court better.

 

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The beatdown commences in 6 hours.

 

That's not even close to being true. Lin didn't make anyone better.

What fueled the team on that run in the 2nd quarter was the fact that Beverley and Delfino came in and turned up the intensity on defense. Both of those guys were flying all over the place on defense and creating havoc.

Then on offense, instead of standing around waiting for something to happen, every time Beverley got the ball, he instantly attacked. He went right at them and forced the defense to do something.

What pissed me off the most about the starters on Sunday was that there were actually some decent looks.... they just wouldn't take the shot. Parsons wasn't afraid to take the shot. Jeremy Lin was. Greg Smith was. Omer Asik kept pump-faking for absolutely no reason.

When Bev and Delfino came in, there was no hesitation whatsoever. If either one was open, they took the shot, period. There wasn't even a second thought about it. Even if they miss, the defense is forced to try to get out there sooner, which opens up more lanes for people.

That's what I want to see from Lin. If he gets even a little bit open, take the shot. If his shot isn't falling, attack relentlessly. Make the defense fear you a little bit. Nobody fears a player that just stands around and doesn't even look like he wants to shoot.

 

That's what I want to see as well. Every bit of hesitation on his part hurts the team. This is the playoffs and teams aren't going to sit back and let you pick apart the defense. They're going to attack you. Don't wait to get trapped. Just attack. If you're going to fail out there, let it be a colossal failure rather than a whimper.

 

We win a close game tonight. Enough said.

 

What's interesting is that he even looks like he doesn't want to make the tight pass when he has the chance. There were plenty of times he could have made a pocket pass to smith but didn't do it and ended up turning the ball over anyway. He's just gotta be aggressive period.

 

Don't even start that crap about this being a one game thing. Benching Lin has been a long time coming but honestly mchale doesn't have the balls to do it!

 

no they are switching because the foot speed of our player isn't that good. We have not half court athletic speed players like Westbrook. This is most unathletic team in the west it seems.