Agreed that Jordan makes all the difference for the Clippers. Also, this team is fueled by the 3 ball. When those threes are going in, their effort/energy correlate.
Hopefully we can get Jordan in foul trouble again in game 6. Attack him relentlessly even if we get behind because we get blocked. I say keep sending every play to try to score against Jordan every chance we get. Get him out of the game. Either he has to play softer because he's afraid of fouls and we score more, or he is out of the game.
1) Must hit at least 12-15 3 pointers. 2) Must get Jordan in foul trouble, which I doubt happens because I don't think the refs are going to limit him 2 games in a row 3) Must play defense. 3 very obvious points, but those are the ingredients for us to beat the Clippers. I think the Rockets lose by around 10-15 points personally, but if those 3 things happen, we will have a shot.
You don't have to get him in foul trouble, you just have to get into his head that he has to be careful about stepping up and getting fouls which will affect his shot blocking. He's no Hakeem Olajuwon. You can affect him mentally. Attack him relentlessly at the rim. Keep a body on him at all times on the boards. Push him, shove him, annoy him. Make as much physical contact with him on drive and dishes as possible. Make him as uncomfortable and agitated as possible.
Disagree with the OP. Our only hope for this series is getting Bev on the court to guard Paul/Rivers. If he can move his arms and legs put him on the damn court! The matador defense of Pablo/Harden/Terry killed the team in those losses in LA and turned Rivers and Redick into All-Stars.
