ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 4/4/2014

Howard wouldn't have made a difference anyway. He hasn't come close to making a difference against the Thunder. For some reason I felt better about Rox going into last week's game against the Clippers than I do going into tonight's game. Partly because Durant is only behind Lebron in being able to beat a team all by himself. Have no real expectations for the Rox to win tonight, especially the way they have been playing. Harden will have to have a game like he did last year scoring 46 for Rox to have a chance. Would be disappointing going 0-8 against OKC and LAC.

 

Joe Crawford is actually not that bad when it comes to Houston home games, as far as I can recall. Everybody better step up, Asik is actually a better option than Dwight against OKC.

 

Joe Crawford and co? Really?

Great... we're screwed.

 

I have to say that is very clever.............

 

This game loses half of its excitements when both Beverley and Westbrook are on the bench

 

Joey Crawford reffing + no Bev or Dwight

We're so screwed.

 

The Rockets will win because the rig will be on from the refs. I mean we are on a 3 game losing streak, 0-3 vs the thunder so far this year, without our second best player, and we're somehow still 2.5pt favorites? I bet we'll just get every single call tonight.

 

Didn't Joey Crawford ref last night's Spurs vs Thunder game?

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>ESPN announcers tonight--
Den/Mem (7 ET): Mark Jones, Jon Barry
Okc/Hou (930): Mike Tirico, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters</p>&mdash; NBA Guru (@NBAGuru) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAGuru/statuses/452139935261536256">April 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

this is terrific news, JVG is the best commentator in all of sports

 

Excellent. Thank the Lord we don't have Jon Barry for our game!

 

A guy like Greg Smith at full strength is a perfect counter to Ibaka and all the physical PFs the Rockets have faced. This guy has yet to play a significant game and been injured all this season. Imagine the net loss games alone just from not having Greg Smith available this season. He's the perfect bulk at 6'8.5 along with huge hands that definitely alters shots visually and physcially. He has the leverage to defend like a Chuck Hayes.

 

Oh man. I don't think there's any way we win this game.

 

Morey needs to look elsewhere next season. Greg Smith is very young with little mileage on those legs. For him to be this injury prone at this stage of his career is not a good sign.

 

Hard to be optimistic about this one after those last two games. If the Rockets play hard, the have a chance to win. Problem is, they haven't played hard the last 2 1/2 games.

 

The whole Greg Smith thing makes me sad. Feel bad for him.

 

Small ball – this is the key to this game, we have to pull ibaka out the paint, this will make it easier for harden, parson, lin to drive… if not we will have to hope for an elite 3 point shooting night & play good defense.

 

What exactly happened to Greg Smith after his knee exploded? Microfracture?

 

I think there was a meniscus tear and possibly some ligament damage. It just sucks to think that a (seemingly) good kid w/ promise will probably be out of the league after this season for reasons he can't control.