What adjustment will Mike, Dan and Tony make to their Game 3 adjustments in Game 4?

He will add plays where the open shots go in the basket.

 

I just posted this in another thread but it's more relevant here

1. Figure out how to force our tempo more, and not get stuck in the mucky 15 point quarter basketball that the Spurs want. Even if our shots aren't falling, a run-and-gun game helps us in multiple ways.
2. Figure out how to utilize Nene and Capela more; our PNR game should be an advantage, not a liability.
3. If anyone (Ariza, Anderson, Lou) is playing like garbage, toss Troy or Dekker out there for a few first half minutes to see what we got. Popovich isn't afraid of trying that.

 

I agree. We must force the tempo. None of this walking up the court bs.

 

Smaller lineups. More Gordon and Lou

 

I think you need to play Anderson at center.

Let Harden guard the big.

It's apparent that the Spurs don't have the firepower to beat you in an offensive style game.

They had a lot of turnovers due to Parker being out.

 

Anderson at center.

You need 5 shooters out there so the Dpurs can't camp in the paint.

 

There was a seam in the Spurs defense last night right around the free throw line. Unfortunately the only guy on the Rockets who tried that shot was Nene, I think? Not the guy you want taking jump shots. Anyway, if that's available the Rockets' shooters should take a few of those - it can't be worse than driving it into the big men and not drawing any fouls.

 

For starters, realize that a wide open 12-15 footer is a better shot than a well-contested layup.

 

Posted this in the wrong thread...

Weird... game 1 we ran and pressured SAN to the point observers (including non Rocket fans) commented that HOU had shown up SAN and that SAN looked old and slow. Rocket players led by Harden gave lip service to the need to not let up. Be hungry. Play hard.

Game 2 SAN made adjustments, slowed the game pace way down, and outworked HOU on rebounds, 50-50 balls, defensive and offensively. HOU (Harden) walked the ball down the court, emphasized 3's, got frustrated with the officiating, quit driving. Quit moving the ball around. And when they did move the ball, they were often sloppy passes. Defensively, they stood around, didn't box out, and allowed a team minus its primary ball distributor to dictate the offensive pace. SAN completely embarrassed HOU.

Game 3... no adjustments from HOU. Another loss (albeit closer). More walking the ball down the court. More missing threes. More getting frustrated by the officiating. More standing around on offense and defense. More ignoring of the need to box out.

If there is ever a "must win game", game 4 is a "must win game." Lose that... no need to even go to San Antonio. HOU has to figure out what worked in game 1. Has to play with the urgency of a team facing elimination. Mix up the rotation. Anderson misses his first open three? Look at Gordon right away. Or Decker. Or even Harrell. Someone fails to box out? Immediate introduction to the pines. Harden walks the ball down the court? Fans start booing. Refs purposely miss a call? D'Antoni takes a T for the team... or at least calls a time out and spends the entire time jawing with the ref to show the team he won't put up with Pop controlling the refs.

These are the needed adjustments. Otherwise... refund the fans for tickets for a Game 6 that doesn't have a chance of happening.

 

Hit more shots.

 

you know, in principle I know this sort of makes sense, but there were an awful lot of blown layups last night that weren't particularly difficult or contested. We just plain out failed to finish at the rim. I think that should improve in the next game just from a probability perspective.

 

THey all need to ahve a talk with the refs before the game

 

Depending on how effective your players are finishing at the basket and/or drawing fouls. Trying to force your way to the basket can also open up more passes to players under the basket and improve offensive rebounding rate.

But for Ariza, for example, you are probably right.

 

Pay the refs more than what Pop is paying.

 

Once Harden started driving right at Gasol, we started playing better.

It really comes down to shooting well or not. Really is no excuse why this team can't buy a basket.

Lou Williams and Nene did not get ONE bucket. NOT ONE. Beverley was bad, Anderson didn't make a shot either.

That's three primary rotation players you count on every night who didn't hit one shot. Its surprising we didn't lose by more.

 

Harden needs to finish on gasol

Pau is not Hakeem

 

Clearly he doesnt