ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 4/27/2013 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 3)

Russell Westbrook’s injury has given the Houston Rockets a chance at victory in the team’s first round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but coach Kevin McHale must take advantage of Westbrook’s untimely misfortune.

Westbrook requires surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered in Oklahoma City’s courageous Game 2 victory on Wednesday night. The All-Star point guard is certain to miss the rest of the opening round and the second round of the playoffs as long the Thunder are able win two of the next five games against the Rockets and close out the series.

Without the smaller half of the Thunder’s knockout one-two offensive punch, the Rockets have one less weapon to defend. Oklahoma City’s attack is so dangerous mainly due to Kevin Durant and Westbrook’s ability to routinely combine for a mostly efficient 45 to 55 points each night. McHale will now be able to concentrate his defensive plan entirely upon stopping Durant and forcing the Thunder role players, led by Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin, to beat his team.

The more interesting tactic will be to see if McHale opts to continue with the small-ball approach. In Game 2, McHale dumped his Greg Smith-Omer Asik big man pairing that featured so heavily in the final month of the regular season and instead opted to go with Chandler Parsons at three, inserting rookie guard Patrick Beverley into the starting unit. The Rockets love the three-ball, and should definitely benefit from more effective performances than Wednesday night’s 10-35 effort from long range.

Houston has a much greater chance of competing in this series thanks to Westbrook’s unfortunate luck. So much so that a small window of hope has opened suggesting this team may have chance against the Western Conference’s No.1 seed. It is now up to coach McHale to take advantage of the situation.
http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2013/...-take-advantage-of-russell-westbrooks-injury/

 

Rockets are a 1 pt underdog according to odds

 

atleast we are not playing the spurs, lol laker fans. lets get this one.

 

Durants turn now.

Put Patrick on him and watch the magic.

Then put him on Chris Paul and then Lebron for the NBA finals.

Free championship right here.

 

There is no way to overstate how big of a no call the play was. If it's called like it should have been, you are looking at us down 1 and headed to the FT line I believe with like 1:03 left...if I'm wrong about FT, we have the ball down 1. I don't see how it could not have been called. I guess they think CP is flopping from 12 feet away.Uhh no.

 

we can steal this one at home!

 

Thats actually pretty cool.

 

So pumped for tonight's game!!!!

 

if we "Beverly" Durant, this may be the biggest upset ever!

 

I have 2 tixs 'n parking listed for Clutch Fans down in the Hangout so check it if interested.

 

Lets go, so pumped for this one.

Toyota Center better be rocking tonight, most the time its pretty bad, We're really going to need the crowd for this W.

 

Lord, please let this young team grow, develop, and get wins. Amen.

 

Lin going through shootaround but still a game time decision according to Feigen

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Greg Smith sat out with stomach distress. Game-time decision.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/328171992710778880">April 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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and someone tell me what a freaking stomach distress is?!

 

The way Smith has been playing this is good. Give Jones a try.

 

It's amazing that a team with Durant and Westbrook was still bad enough to get the number 3 pick.

 

Couldn't be a better guy to step in than Derek Fisher. I don't expect much of a drop off for the Thunder. Unfortunately, they've still got more healthy talent than we do.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lin wasn't able to really participate in gameday shootaround. Just took 2-3 shots. Gametime decision still. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23RedNation">#RedNation</a></p>&mdash; Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ho_chenCSN/status/328172333774798850">April 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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