ClutchFans Game Thread: Blazers @ Rockets 1/20/2014

A great win. If Rockets really wants to make some noise, We need Lin to find his mojo. He just need to be mentally strong, play his game and play hard.

 

too bad Asik wasn't playing....blazers got too many 2nd chance rebounds with our lack of size....this game would've been over by halftime with asik and tjones playing.

 

nostradamus, you're not.

 

I would like to see an office worker or anyone for that matter get yoyo'ed at his/her job as much as Lin. Feel sad for the fella really but it is what is is regardless of how much we want him to just suck it up/man up at whatever's happening. I would wonder how to feel about him if i knew him personally.

Glad Bev had a great game and hope he keeps up the level of play.

Everyone on the team is fighting for a paycheck and that's the reality of the game.

 

P. Bev - Loved having him back. Offense flowed so much better with him, his 3-stroke and defense was great.

Parsons just makes this offense work - he was a badass - love the way he's been playing lately.

Dwight was a beast - quick first step, dominant and hitting free throws (really wished he made
that monster rim rattler that clanked out)

Harden - played great - so nice when his 3 ball is going down.

DMO -awesome 3 stroke/hook shot, board play - really nice.

So nice to see the intensity in the 2nd half along with the coaching pressure from McHale.

 

Couldn't watch the game at work but kept myself updated with the box score. Man oh man I so worried there would be another 3rd and 4th quarter meltdown! Got close to 6 points when we were up like 20?

Was the game never in doubt or the Blazers had a chance to win it when they were within 6?

 

I feel like it was just a run... teams always make runs. I felt pretty good about this game because I think the Rockets were not eager to repeat the OKC collapse. Sure enough they turned it on and we pulled ahead for the win.

 

Early in the 3rd when it was a 10 pt lead - McHale put his boot up they azz. He called timeouts - he was animated.

Later in 3rd when it got to 6 pt lead it never felt like we were in jeopardy. We went to the FT line (P. Bev driving to basket and fouled - hit both). Casspi drove to hole with a nice pump fake drive for 2. We were attacking. Casspi taking a charge and then it was a 10 pt game. We won the board battle.....all this pushed it back to double digits, then P.Bev nailed a 3.....and we were rolling on offense and defense. P. Bev and the rox were pushing the tempo. It was a nice 3rd quarter.

 

Reffs took over (seriously). Lillard was getting touch fouls and we turned the ball over. I honestly didn't feel like the blazers had a chance no matter how close it got. They didn't have an area they dominated us in. LMA normally hits that midrange jumper but we (especially DMO) did a great job defending him. When portland hits their 3s and LMA adds the midrange, then I would have been scared.

 

Game
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2014/01/20/0021300614-por-hou-recap.nba

Parsons' big night
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2014/01/20/0021300614-por-hou-parsons-night.nba

 

Great posts here, much appreciated. I hope Lin won't lose confidence. McHale needs to call
out to the refs when we are not getting the calls.
Great to hear about the leadership from Parsons on the court.

 

Lin is also a key part of the team, or have you forgotten to mention that too.

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys! So happy we stood tall this time against one of the competition leaders. Most importantly the 3s are starting to come back in a vengeance along with the BIG W!

 

Of course Lin is a key part of the team. I was responding to another poster who was annoyed at praise for Beverley playing well tonight, and called him the "anti-Lin", whatever that means.

 

but I am happy.

 

That's where coaching comes in.

Unfortunately, MCHale is as clueless as our players at times, and his in-game adjustments have been inferior. Our games against the Mavs and OKC are some of the games where the opponents coach just made adjustments and McHale failed to recognize them and make his adjustments, or even if he did it was sort of late already.

Your point on Howard playing the half court game more is spot on. The pace of the play offs are slower. The games are more physical, and brutal. It will be more of a half court game once the play offs start.

I just wish our players learn when to make cuts when they throw the ball down low to Howard. Bev has this nasty habit of making a cut through the center just when Howard starts to make his move in the paint too. Lin has been passive lately when passing and just makes half assed cuts. The two players I could name that makes good cuts to the basket are Parssons and surprisingly DMO.

 

What a satisfying win... I agree with the poster who said this was possibly the most complete game of the season thus far.

1. The crowd was actually pretty awesome. I usually find the Rowdies annoying (sorry if there are any here ) -- but they got the crowd into the game at what I thought were some very key moments tonight.

2. I don't even know what to say about Chandler. I don't know if he will ever be a big star in this league, but he does so many things so well. MVP of the night, for sure.

3. Y'all know how I feel about Bev, so I'll spare you (mostly). He isn't the most talented PG on the roster, but his heart and hustle are why he's my fave. There's just a different level of intensity and energy when he's on the floor to set the tone. An absolute irritant on D as usual, and really great to see him contribute so much offensively.

4. YES, DMo! I predicted the foul trouble, but I have faith he'll figure out how to defend while limiting the fouls. His contribution tonight goes way beyond what's reflected in the box score, IMO. Solid D, good rebounding, some gorgeous post moves, and way more hustle than I gave him credit for. I hope we can find a way to keep him happy (and here).

5. iDied @ Brewer's shot. You could tell he wanted noooooooo parts of shooting the ball. LOL.

6. That Harden to Howard oop >>>>>>

Overall, just more consistent intensity and effort than we've shown in a long time. I'm excited to see what we will look like when T. Jones and Smith are healthy (really sweet that some of you still think Asik will return and back Dwight for the long haul), and everybody gets comfortable with their role on the team. There have been some low moments this season and this team is definitely, definitely, definitely not without its struggles -- but I think health and defining roles will make a huge difference. Nearly every guy on this squad brings something special that makes the machine work, which is both a gift and a curse.

A redemption win against SAC on Wednesday would be a symbolic step forward. Here's hoping.

 

Damn Inside the NBA don't say the Rockets win they say "Rockets don't Repeat". Meaning Rockets don't repeat the performance from last Thursday. They didn't even recap the game during pacers/warriors game like they usually do. Instead they do highlights form two teams not even in the playoff race.

 

Hope Bev keeps this up. Good win without TJones. i,m sure Lin will bounce back and start looking for mojo again. On to the next one.

 

Oh, and sorry to keep crying foul (no pun intended, I swear) -- but the refs really seem to have it out for Dwight, and Lin to a lesser extent. Lin gets absolutely abused sometimes, but no whistle. Same for Dwight, except that additionally, him even breathing on his guy draws a foul. He did a much better job keeping his cool and playing through it tonight, which is really all I can ask. Good to see him make them pay for hacking, too.