They way we win game 6 will have to be the same way we win games 2 and 5. 1. Get Jordan in foul trouble 2. Pray the clippers can't hit outside shots. That's it. If we don't get that monster in foul trouble in the first half, we're screwed.
My strategy is to score more points than the other team. On the real, we just gotta keep attacking Deandre and get him in foul trouble. I really think he's their most important player.
I didn't read the thread so maybe it has been mentioned but it appeared to me that the Rockets did not switch as much defensively as they typically do and it appeared to be more effective. #1 Play defense #2 Get DJ in foul trouble Worked like a charm in game 5.
When Jones and Prigioni started doubling Griffin, it was very effective. Jones clearly can't defend the guy by himself. Griffin was surprised by Prigioni. They had him trapped along the sideline a couple of times.
I worry what the refs will do. Do we get any calls? Will Dwight get a bunch of fouls? Will they call any fouls on DJ?
I can't believe we've had an entire thread about strategy, 100 posts long, and nobody has pointed out what the Rockets actually DID in Game 5 that broke open the Clippers' defense. They've been doubling Harden off picks every time. So in Game 5, we set the picks higher, which opened up extra space between Harden and the basket. The roller (Smith, Jones) received the ball from Harden around the foul line. Now we're playing 4 on 3, and the ball is one step or short dish from the basket, exactly what worked for us in the Mavs series. A couple of times, it went out for 3's, but mostly we got short, easy floaters out of this play, or dunks and layups when they stepped over to stop the ball. That's coaching, folks. That's adjustment. Three games late, but, hey, we're talking about Kevin McHale. I'd like to see what the Clips come up with to stop that play. Either they have to give up the double, which opens up Harden's game, or they have to come out and meet the roller, which opens up a receiver near the basket.
CP3 goes right 80+% of the time. Scouting report needs to be telling our Rockets to shade right heavy...
Harden drives to the hoop, pump fake DJ and get two quick fouls in the first quarter. Maybe have Dwight nudge him into James as he drives the lane.
1. You don't have to steal the ball from Chris Paul to make it a bad possession, but if you keep poking the ball away from him he gets completely out of rhythm. 2. Do not post up on Deandre Jordan until he's in foul trouble. When he's aggressive, he's one of the best post defenders I've ever seen. 3. Let the PG bring the ball up the court. It's a waste of energy to have Harden beat his man just to get to the 3 point line. Use that energy to finish. 4. Make sure Josh Smith does whatever he needs to in preparation to have a decent game. Decent Josh game means fewer mistakes and more easy baskets. 5. Exploit Jordan with every offensive play until he's in foul trouble. He's awesome at defending the front of the rim, but terrible at the sides. Meaning, attack the baseline opposite of where he is defending. 6. Pray Harden and Ariza are hitting the 3 ball. Everything else is cake if this happens.
I do see what you're saying, but Blake only got 2 assists. That's kind of big because he had that one game with 13 and it's lower than all the others too. Not by much, mind you, but every assist you can stop is 2 points you stop. Little stuff adds up. I also felt like it was big that we kept Chris Paul off the boards. He didn't get a single offensive rebound, but I feel like he's good for about 1 a game. Again, it's probably only 2 points but little stuff adds up. Jordan only had 3 FGs... all good things. All indications that the rhythm of the Clippers team was definitely off last game. It was clearly visible in the game play and the results.
Or let him go whichever way that leads to the middle aka help defense. Definitely I prefer him driving than hitting open shots.
I think our defense led more to the win than our offense. He actually started JSmoove and sat Tjones who is afraid of Blake's shadow.
Attack DJ and cheat off Barnes are the obvious two. However, Doc will have adjustments that the Rockets must respond to.
1. Double Blake when he has the ball. Saw this during the last game. Dude is slow to respond and looks legitimately flustered at time. 2. Attack DeAndre on the offensive side. That doesn't mean Dwight Post ups. That means pick and rolls with Josh and Dwight or James and Dwight. 3. Close out on shooters. Over commit to scare them off the 3 point line. Its worth it. 4. Harden needs a BIG game. Thats the long and the short of it.
