ClutchFans Game Thread: Blazers @ Rockets 4/30/2014 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 5)

Don't mind him. Internet tough guy seems to have a problem seeing someone expressing his faith

 

Nice win. Asik's presence seemed to affect Aldridge tonight. A heavy dose of J-Lin kept the offense running consistently. They did not stagnate into isolation ball. Even when Harden was missing shots, the shots were still in the flow of the offense. Lin has been running the offense well throughout the series, especially in his first half stints. By giving him a longer stretch of playing time, the Rockets sustained a working margin from the 2nd quarter onwards. He also got into a shooting rhythm and supplied some much needed points. I doubt McHale would've given Lin that much floor time and focus but for Beverley's illness, but it worked.

As for Game 6, Portland is in a bit of trouble. The Rockets may have found an answer to keep Aldridge under 30 points. I don't think Portland can replace those points with someone else to keep up with Houston. Even with Lopez and Matthews having great games, it still wasn't enough to stay with a balanced Rockets attack that had to carry the load without an effective James Harden for most of the game. If McHale can find a way to get Daniels loose again, Houston could win that game by about 7 points.

 

We shouldn't even be in this situation. Even if we get past the Blazers, we will be too gassed for either the Spurs or the Mavs.

 

Not obsessed. Just not holding my breath for a repeat performance like this by him since that is how he's been playing all year. Really happy that he did well tonight. He held down the fort while Harden was busy not doing anything.

 

NO....he plays better when he comes off-the bench

 

I believe this has to do a lot with his poor play he looks gassed he's playing the most minutes on the team.and there's no reason for that. If he can get to 38ish he will be good

 

Will the hustle show up in portland

 

34 to 5 bench scoring.

 

This.

Glad we won but there's definitely something not right here.

Poor body language from both Howard & Harden after the game. Dwight did not seem too pleased in his postgame interview.

 

This. Harden is shooting like 30% for the series. When his entire value as a player is purely offense, when he isn't scoring efficiently he's just hurting the team.

 

Asik was a warrior tonight.

 

Parsons playing hard but not smart. He is really pressing. Needs to clam down and play with control.

 

TNT has nothing to say about Rockets win. They're just ****ing improving because they weren't expecting it. Screw the media.

 

LOL I didn't even notice Parsons had mouthed off at Williams in the 1st half. Mo was a no show fo sho.

 

We won game 3 u clown

 

Today because Bev is not feeling/doing well and Harden was not showing up, Lin was put in the game very early and the heavy minutes paid off.

 

two words... ROOKIE CONTRACT.

 

He was never going to sustain that pace... but Asik does play him much tougher.

Additionally, the Blazers don't just dump it in to him as much as I thought they would... which shows they're a good "team", but sometimes you need your stars to carry you.

 

Nice game, Rockets. It got scary at the end but everyone came up big to churn a win out.