ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Clippers 3/15/2015

I like that we play better when motivated and in the middle of a dog fight. That's a good sign come playoffs and in the future. We are sometimes in kitten mode and I don't know how that happens. I'd almost like a rule that says if the game is within one point or momentum shifted Harden gets the ball.

I don't mind that Paul shut him down. That will happen from time to time. I think Harden has worked on his finishing and dramatically improved this year, and he's taken on guys like Lebron and burned them. So Kudo to Paul. Harden will be ready next time.

 

It shouldn't be that way though. Mchale should be able to inspire them. This why it's so hard to show just what a good coach does because their is no stat for a guy who can get his team fired up and ready to go.

 

Not sure if posted yet, a joke about name change to Houston Muppets near the start.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HaeLN7ojtIc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I don't know where to post this, so I'll just leave it here, but pretty interesting stat on Josh Smith, who played terrible yesterday, but overall has proved to be a big positive.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Rockets are 4.4 points better with Josh Smith on court than on the bench, and with him on the floor, have a 98.7 defensive efficiency.</p>&mdash; Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/status/577516097383088128">March 16, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Agreed. That body slam lit a fire under Harden, he racheted up his energy big time after that wake up call.

 

Last 2 minute report: http://official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/L2M-HOU-LAC-3-15-15.pdf

 

oh look, another game where harden is subjected to bad refereeing at the end