ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 5/12/2015 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 5)

All Mchale bashing and jokes aside, what do you think the Rockets can do tonight? Any adjustments you think they'll make? How can they get back to playing some defense?

 

I was hoping that Memphis would win last night so the Rockets wouldn't be the only team this round down 1-3.

 

Just win this one. Then pressure is squarely on LA to win in Game 6. Roll the dice.

 

I would be happy if we try some new wrinkles and are able to stay competitive until the end of the game.

Use hacking judiciously. Stay together; communicate on the court, and most of all, keep our heads up. Clips can smell our fear a mile away and pounce on us. Represent Houston proudly.

Fans may get upset at you, but they'll always stand by you if you give your all.

 

I wish people would quit saying things like "We haven't even played our best ball yet" as though that's something that should give us hope for a win or two (or three). If that is true (and I'm not sure it is) then it's shameful that we're in game 5 of the second round and have yet to play our best ball. If anything, that should make you dislike our chances even more.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Harden in playoffs: 11.4 free throw attempts/36 minutes at home. 7.9 on the road. Small sample, prevalence of hacking others might impact.</p>&mdash; Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/598127276119687169">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Harden's home/road free throw split was dead even in the regular-season.</p>&mdash; Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/598127762227011585">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Monty McCutchen, James Capers and Sean Wright..do we have a chance?

 

Can't wait for game 7!!
Stay thirsty my friends....

 

Need to get this W no matter who the refs are. Team needs to come out focused and pay back a blow out to the Clippers. The game can not be close in the closing minutes or this will another L and a long Summer once again in H-Town. Go Rockets!!

 

McCutchen is a bad ref with an ego, the other two are okay I think.

 

It ain't the refs that are the issue in this series. If the Rockets play hard on defense for 48 minutes, they can win.

 

1. Harden gets to the line 12 times, makes 11...Scores 32 points and dishes out 8 assists
2. Dwight and Josh go old school and combine for 39 points and 26 rebounds together
3. Corey Brewer wakens and scores 21 points
4. CP3 pulls his hamstring in the 3rd quarter as the Rockets start pulling away.
5. Mchale gets a season reprieve for winning game 5
6. DeAndre Jordan gets 5 fouls before the 3rd quarter ends.
7. Barnes, Blake and Doc Rivers each get technical fouls during the course of the game.
8. Rockets return to LA and the scene of the crime for a game 6

Final Score: Rockets 113 Clippers 102

 

Such a difficult series to endure. I'll be watching tonight cheering on our team. Play with heart and play smart - too much to ask?

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dwight Howard on fined $15K: &quot; &quot;Crossing the line. I can't say. I don't want to get fined any more. I'm going to keep my money in my pocket'</p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/598154707392069632">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trevor Ariza on what must change on def : &quot;I think we got to take more pride individually, myself, all of us. Just be better on the def end&quot;</p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/598155746736361475">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jason Terry: &quot;They've beat us in transition all series long. It's a strong suit of ours and they've beaten us at our own game.&quot;</p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/598156602722557952">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dwight Howard: &quot;Whatever they do,we got 2find a way.We can't hang our heads.We can't look defeated.We have 2believe.We can't have any doubt&quot;</p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/598159029202878464">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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You just noticed? They've been doing this all series. How hard is it to run back every time on defense? Or to play better team defense in the halfcourt?

 

They'll probably end up charging the Clippers for triple homicide.

 

Got away with it?

She fired a profane volley at him, he responded (unprofessionally) and got hit with 50 grand fine... that's a decent shot.

 

Two things that are in the Rockets' favor:

1. For Game 5: Rockets still haven't lost 3 games in a row this season, plus when the Rockets were down 3-1 last year to the Blazers, they came back and won Game 5 at home.

2. For Game 6: Since James Harden and coach Kevin McHale have been on this team, they have won ONE road game in EACH and every playoff series. This occurred in Game 5 in OKC '13, in Game 3 in POR '14, and already in Game 3 in DAL '15. Also they did win in LAC already this season.

So the ONLY way this series does not go to Game 7 is if one of the above streaks gets snapped.

And once in Game 7, ANYTHING can happen....even another 30 point loss lol

 

One game at a time.

 

Refs will give the Rockets this one... They need to get an extra game in. It will go back to normal in LA.