ClutchFans Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 4/18/2015 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

This could be a problem

 

they actually lost a lot of talent and depth from last years team

Vince Carter, Brendan Wright, Jae Crowder all from their bench

Shawn Marion and Dalembert (replaced by Portions and Chandler)

 

so...quick question for clarification: I thought that the Rockets wouldn't have to face the Spurs or Warriors until the WCF..now all brackets show Rockets match up against winner of Spurs/Clippers? Porque? Everyone on CF was cheering yesterday that since SA lost and Memphis won, we wouldn't have to GSW or SA...now ESPN/TNT others are showing us matched up 'likely' with the Spurs in the 2nd round??

 

Memphis needed to lose.

 

Yeah, they get the 6th seed, so the 2-7 seed winner will play the winner of the 3-6 matchup.

The 1-8 seed gets the 4-5 matchup in the 2nd round.

We needed the Pacers to beat Memphis yesterday to meet one of Spurs/GS in the WCF. But if we advance and Spurs advance, we would play them in the 2nd round.

We would only play the Warriors in the WCF though, so that helps a lot.

 

eh...gotcha. that sux

 

let's focus on round 1 first...

that being said, taking the lakers to 7 games in 2009 (2nd round) was not expected, so anything can happen if we have to meet the spurs later

 

Josh Smith played 83 games this season.

 

And they say he's not efficient!

 

A lot of people seem to be favoring Dallas, but I can't really blame them until the Rockets prove them wrong since we haven't made noise in the playoffs for so long.

This year feels different than recent years. Although we have had all these injuries, these guys just find ways to win. It was frustrating to not have a lot of blowout wins this season, but they finally got one last night.

My body is ready for Saturday!!! #REDNATION

 

We beat the Mavs with Howard playing 18 minutes. 32 minutes seems like an eternity compared to a measly 18.

So 32 minutes means there will be 16 minutes without Howard. With Howard at 18 minutes that means 30 minutes without him aka time for Dorsey (or Capela, now maybe) or Smith at the center.

I'll take 16 minutes of no Howard than 30 minutes of no Howard.

 

Ultra (economic) efficiency! Plays 83 games, paid for 82!!!

lol how does that work? Did he get paid an extra x amount of money for that extra game?

 

Im excited to see how Capela plays in primetime.

 

#1 - It's not 2011. Dirk is not still Dirk and Rondo hasn't been Rondo for a few years. Mavs aren't as deep as they were last year.

#2 - at some point Chandler has to sit for the Mavs and the interior will be wide open for the Rockets. Not to mention that Dwight is back and will keep Chandlers hands full. Look for Jones/Smith to have s huge series.

#3 - perimeter D for Dallas, outside Rondo, is a mess. Parsons and Ellis are sort of like Parsons/Harden last year. Rondo will probably guard Harden and probably keep him in check (20-25 ppg), but Rockets don't need Harden to dominate this series. Plus Dallas has no answer for Brewer as seen in the last game the two teams played. If Dallas tries to run, which is when they are best, Rockets will run with them.

#3 - Dallas's best bet is to hope they hit their shots much like Portland did last year. Rockets are a different team this year, though, and much more mentally tough. Barring any further injury, I just don't see the Mavs having a chance, outside blind luck, in winning 4 of 7. Of course, didn't expect Aldridge to scorch the Rockets last year and for the officials to hand Portland two games (Loved the NBA apologies for those) either.

I see the Rockets winning comfortably in Game 1, rockets win a close Game 2, Mavs offense catching fire and pulling out Game 3, Rockets winning by 8 in Game 4, and winning an easy Game 5 at home.

 

Unleash the hounds!

 

Fixed it for ya :grin:

I'm skeptical that McHale will let him see time on the floor...even though he should. Maybe Morey will force his hand with ANALYTICS

 

Anyone following the rumor that over 1 million of the Rockets unsold pajama uniforms were buried in a new mexico landfill in 2004.

 

If the Rockets lose any games cause they are scared to go past the 32min mark someone needs to be fired the next day. Dwight will have all the time in the world to rest his knee in the offseason.

 

Favoring Dallas would be too much. Fair to say they are not that far away from Houston (Reality they could be really dysfunctional or surprisingly good)

Let us see what kind of Mavs will turn up. The ugly one or the better one.

 

Absolutely must open this series with a win, especially after last season. Need to exercise those demons.

I've been waiting 10 years for this.