ClutchFans Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 4/28/2015 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 5)

Games 1-3 I felt incredibly nervous, anxious, etc.

Game 4 I went to the game feeling confident (even though I knew Mavs would fight), and it wasn't until Nick Johnson's blown layup that I lost my cool. Our shooting was already horrid before that, but I saw it and just lost it, lol.

Tonight? I feel the nerves again.

Rockets win!

lol, like that logic?

 

Let me tell you a secret. I watched 3 game plus 1 quarter of the series. I left after first quarter in game 4 for something and fell asleep after that. Absolutely didn't know the Rockets were down nearly 30 points at one point until someone mentioned it on Twitter.

I promise tonight I won't fall asleep in the middle of the game again.

 

PLAY BETTER D!!!!!!!!!

McHale needs to think about using BigNick Johnson in this game if Terry is missing his shots and Prigs is struggling to stay in front of Barea again. I know that Nick is not a good offensive player at this stage in his career, but I don't think Prigs' offensive IQ makes up for Johnson's D in this matchup. If Barea or Harris is running wild, you need to bring in Johnson to try and make them work.

Either that, or put Brewer out there and just force Barea into a defensive mismatch. We need to step on that pest Barea.

Howard needs to own Chandler on the boards again, Tyson actually showed up last game and did a good job. But we all know Howard is the stronger, more athletic, and better player. He needs to own the glass and paint tonight.

And Harden needs to bring us home. He's been very good in this series, but tonight is his chance to really put a stamp on this MVP-caliber season. A killer series against the Mavs including a monster closeout game would help change the narrative with Harden. And I think it would really help with Harden's confidence. We'll need "December/January Hands-Down MVP" Harden if we want to beat the Clippers/Spurs, and I think a big closeout performance from him would really help get him in the right mindset for the next round.

Just win.

 

for the love of god put on the shirts if you going to the game tonight...I know I am as usual!

 

That about sums it up for me. I was really nervous before Games 1 & 2, somewhat nervous before Game 3(it wasn't a must-win after all), ok before Game 4(it definitely wasn't a must-win), and am back to being really nervous before tonight's game.

Again, it's not technically a must-win, but it would cost the Rockets dearly in the next round if they needed 6 or 7 games to close out the Mavs.

 

There you go!

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From the interesting but irrelevant department : Rockets are 5-0 is series they have led 3-1 as they do heading to Game 5 vs. Mavs tonight.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/593153548449226752">April 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Totally irrelevant. No team up 3-0 has ever lost an NBA playoff series. So the Rockets better win this one.

 

Leggo!!!

 

They got damn close in 97 to the sonics. Only won by 5. They lose tonight and my ass will be tight enough to make a diamond out of a lump of coal.

 

Here's the problem with the Mavs now.

They look like the best offense in the league, reminiscent of early in the season.

Can our defense stop them?

Aminu/Villanueva production have equaled Parsons production, and Harden hasn't been able to effectively play his game.

Terribly worried for this Mavs team that has an unstoppable offense. They are hungry as they're on the brink of elimination...

Rockets 101
Mavs 119

 

If Houston loses this game, I think they lose the series. Barea is playing like '05 Steve Nash right now...

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Trevor Ariza out shooting early tonight. He said he will be aggressive in Game 5.</p>&mdash; Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/593170533832790016">April 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Uh-oh

 

You never think the rockets are going to win...

 

People seem to forget we beat the Mavs TWICE when they were considered the best offense in the league and that is when they had a fully healthy roster.

 

Uh oh?

 

Can somebody aggressively tell him to never shoot pull up long two's off the dribble?

 

Not surprisingly, we did that by playing great defensive effort.