ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 1/12/2016

I too would like to hate them too as well

 

They said Harden flopped when ZBO elbowed him in the neck

They said the Rockets whine more than the Clippers

There were other things that were bad.

It was only after the Rockets looked like they were going to win the game did they say how hard the Rockets were playing. They said Rockets were tougher than the Grizz.

 

Those were the worst things they said. Other than that they were fine. Dwight would've gotten a flagrant for that Z-Bo elbow.

 

Don't worry about responding to cheke.

It's a well known fact he only posts here when the Rockets are doing bad and is nowhere to be seen when they do well. No sense in discussing "fandom" with someone who legitimately only gets off when the team is doing poorly. At least he's trolling for real and it's funny sometimes, unlike that no knowledge schmuck, FTW.

 

I am one of Howard's toughest critics but he played one hell of a game tonight. He was everywhere defensively, set solid screens, and owned the glass. Loved what I saw tonight. Hope it continues.

 

Everyone knows he's here for a long time thus there are not many haters. Just it's so frustrating that your star player's mind is not in the game. Who else among the top 20 guards would make the same mistakes again and again, and then again, in critical times? Like passing the ball when there is just 1 second on the clock, throw a signature turn-over pass when you should just run the clock off and throw the ball in the air? A 6-point swing we are talking about! And this is not the first time.
Such a play would lead to a ban from the rest of the game under Pop. Such a play would be exactly how you lose close games. It is not trivial as others put it. It needs to be fixed asap.

 

That was a very good win, haven't gotten that excited about a game since the first Clipper game to go 4-3. I can't think of someone who really played poorly, it was a great, tough team effort.

Jones had a look in his eye that I haven't seen since at least last season, maybe ever. He could be so good if he had this kind of motor every night.

He would do better with good coaching. He reminds me of the PF version of Harrison Barnes, great tools and skillset but poor motor. But a good coaching staff can get more out of him IMO, he's got so many offensive skills as a big man.

Very good games from Harden and Howard, Harden minimized the number of possessions defensively where I felt like he was a liability, and he made great decisions and big shots down the stretch. Howard was a good force inside throughout the night, and had some timely finishes.

Oh and **** Mario Chalmers, ****ing flopper.

So true smh.

 

Listened to Memphis feed and they were very professional. I love Bill, but he is probably the biased announcer you will find in the league.

 

he has been really good the past couple of weeks

 

He's been playing like a superstar center for a few weeks now. Hes been the best center in the NBA since January 1st.

I hope he can keep it up because it really does add another diminsion to our offense when he's getting the ball around the hoop in scoring position. He's been the good dwight lately and it's showing in this 4 game win streak.

 

LOL Calvin always passionate either way

 

Listen to Sean Elliott for the Spurs. He's the worst homer ever.

Bull is bad but Elliot flat out hates on othere teams players.

 

Just seems to have an extra bounce in his step. Nothing half speed. He must be feeling good.

 

The call re Clippers was when the Rockets were appealing every call, and they actually said something like 'Houston approaching Clipper level of complaining right now' - not a Rockets dig, a dig at LAX....

They talked up our rebounding and heart. They did make exceptions and kept talking about a 20 point comeback possibility, but werent bad at all....

 

bruh..... Come on now

 

I agree, Elliot is the worst. Because of where I live when the Rockets play the Mavs or the Spurs I'm forced to watch their broadcast instead of the Rockets. I just watch the game with the volume muted.

 

Ok. I hate them. Thx.

 

So you're saying I get to watch a good replay?

 

Rockets' improved 3-point shooting can open up offense
By Jonathan FeigenJanuary 11, 2016 Updated: January 11, 2016 10:10pm

Since the beginning of December, the Rockets have made 38.3 percent of their 3-point attempts, an improvement over 30.9. Guard Pat Beverley (2) leads the way, having converted 45.7 percent of his long-range attempts in that span. Photo: Bob Levey, FRE / FR156786 AP Photo: Bob Levey, FRE Since the beginning of December, the Rockets have made 38.3 percent of their 3-point attempts, an improvement over 30.9. Guard Pat Beverley (2) leads the way, having converted 45.7 percent of his long-range attempts in that span.
The Rockets are going to take their 3s. As much as has changed, from their record to their reputation to even their coach, that has not.

The Rockets set records for 3-pointers made and taken in a season. They are not going to let the sound of clanging rims stop them.

They are also not going to win often if they keep missing.

There are other repairs to be made and that are needed. But they have that signature part of their offense going long enough to make the misfiring flop at the start of the season seem like the aberration.

"It's a combination of things," said forward Trevor Ariza, who hit five 3-pointers to score a season-high 24 points in Sunday's comeback win over the Pacers. "Shots are falling now. We're more confident in our shots. We're getting more movement and rhythm. Those things help your offense flow."

Whether from the tweaks to the offense to get better shots or progression to the mean, the Rockets have turned things around from deep.

The Rockets headed into December making 30.9 percent of their 3-pointers. They have made 38.8 percent since, a rate that would put them second to the Warriors if they had shot that way all season.

ROCKETS

Rockets report: Running offense through big men creates defensive NBA: Durant lifts Thunder past Timberwolves NBA: Spurs rip Nets, extend winning streak to 8 The Grizzlies have a way of separating the Rockets from the ball. In two losses this season, the Rockets committed 21.5 turnovers per game. Rockets report: Bverley emphasizes need to protect ball vs. Since the beginning of December, the Rockets have made 38.3 percent of their 3-point attempts, an improvement over 30.9. Guard Pat Beverley (2) leads the way, having converted 45.7 percent of his long-range attempts in that span. Rockets' improved 3-point shooting can open up offense
Guard Pat Beverley has led the way, making 45.7 percent of his 3s in those 20 games, but Jason Terry (40.8 percent), Ariza (38.7 percent) and Marcus Thornton (38.6 percent in 15 games) are not far behind. Corey Brewer went from making 22.2 percent through the first month to 35 percent since.

A shooter's confidence

"They'll go in eventually," Brewer said of his turnaround and the improvement of the team's shooting. "I was just missing at the beginning of the year. I was struggling at the beginning. Now I got my shot back. I just have to keep it going.

"It's a confidence thing. Once you see one go in, it makes shots easier. Then you see other guys making shots. We're getting wide-open shots right now. James (Harden) is making the right plays. Dwight (Howard is) playing great. When those guys get us such wide-open shots we just have to knock them down."

It helps when teams need to double-team Howard inside, as the Pacers did Sunday. Howard is second in the NBA in field-goal percentage (61.6) and in his past five games he has averaged 22 points on 70.2 percent shooting, creating opportunities around him.

"We get a lot better looks," Brewer said. "When Dwight gets going, we all get going. James is going to do his thing no matter what. We got to get Dwight involved. Dwight's been involved. James has been distributing the ball really well. It makes it a lot easier."

The Rockets head into a game against the Grizzlies, a team that rarely double-teams Howard. Marc Gasol probably does the best job in the NBA at battling Howard for low-post position. Howard had 12 points in each game against the Grizzlies this season, going 8-of-12.

The Rockets have made 16 of 63 3s (25.4 percent) against the Grizzlies, but those games were played when that was about how they were shooting from 3-point range.

Versatile offense

That has changed, with the Rockets shooting better, but also doing things to get better shots.

"We've been working on it," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "I think we created some easier opportunities for guys because we're moving the ball a little bit more. We're doing all the small things that make guys better shooters."

Force a decision

They have to do those things better than they had been because they also switched to playing two non-shooters - Howard and Clint Capella - together. That can make it easier for teams to clog the lane without leaving 3-point shooters open, but the Rockets have done a better job of having their big men be threats on the move, even passing to one another, to force teams to choose between helping inside or out.

"It still starts with being aggressive and attacking and moving," Bickerstaff said. "Teams that stand are easier to guard. We have to just move more and get to our spots better and those big guys have to do a good job of relocating into open areas so teams have to make a decision 'Do I take away this dunk or do I give up and open 3?' "

Opponents have usually chosen to give up the open 3. The Rockets are happy to take them. The difference is now when they shoot all those 3s, they more often make them.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You can tell a team is happy they're playing Juicy J's &quot;For Everybody&quot; in the locker room.</p>&mdash; Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/687124800716804096">January 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JBB on Terrence Jones' 20 points: &quot;He's shooting it with confidence and when you shoot it with confidence you give yourself a better shot.&quot;</p>&mdash; Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/687123007471509504">January 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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