ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Warriors 3/31/2017

No chance because we are missing Anderson yet again. He was out the second time the Rockets lost to GSW. But Ryno and company was neck and neck and handled the Warriors pretty well that first meeting @ Oracle.

 

Anderson is a nice player but we've played great with Ariza at the PF these few games. It was a great win on Dec 1, but we were lucky to have that win with us hitting pretty much every single shot down the stretch, as well as their superstars missing shots constantly. We really have no chance against the Warriors at all.

 

Lol mouth breathing ogre

 

Andersons spacing, offensive rebounding and shooting really puts us over the top as an elite team. With out Anderson I'd say we're a good offensive team but not elite

 

Yeah, tonight is a true test of the Rockets' success in those 2 categories. The record on the 2nd night of a B2B and the lack of a 3-game losing streak. But I frankly would be stunned if they won tonight. Then again, the previous win over the Warriors was in Oakland and I believe it snapped something like a 12 game winning streak for them, so anything's possible.

I'd like them to rest Harden tonight and just concede the loss, but I figure after last night's debacle, he's gonna want to redeem himself(or at least attempt to).

 

Houston is still missing a strong player

 

I wouldnt mind resting Harden for tonight and Sunday's game, but Harden has too much fight IMO to be held out. Especially against a team that he's been on the winning side only once in the last 3 years (regardless of coaching staff) in the regular season.

Ryno's injury definitely had impact on yesterday's game and it won't be any easier tonight.

With all that being said, Rockets win, 132-126. Harden with 41pts,15 assists, 10 rebounds.

 

Yes with him we are elite offensively. Even without Anderson we are elite offensively. But still very hard to beat Warriors and they are much more advanced offensively than us.

 

I think this is a must win merely for confidence sake. If we get run out the gym tonight I don't see how we have any confidence in the possibility of facing them in a 7 game series with Durant. A win tonight would be huge.

 

I honestly have a feeling we will win this one. I don't know why could be me being a one eyed homer or whatever but I get the feeling Lou and Gordon will catch fire this game and we win

 

I want Harden to play in Phoenix. The Suns game should be an easy win if the Rockets are at full strength(sans Anderson of course). Without Harden, it becomes a potential loss. Despite what some may think, the 3rd seed is by no means a lock. Utah probably does lose a few more games the rest of the way, but we can't assume they fall to San Antonio or Golden State considering those 2 teams may have little to play for and could decide to rest players.

Plus I still want the Rockets to go after the 3rd best record in the league. The magic number after the Cavs' loss last night is down to 5. After tonight, we play at Phoenix, at home vs Denver and Detroit, at Sactown, at the Clippers, and home vs Minnesota. All but the Clippers on a B2B are games the Rockets should win if they show up from the opening tip.

 

Prediction : Win 119-111, Lou cooks up a 38 piece.

 

To point out the obvious: our ability to stay in a game with GS has little to do with Anderson's ability to stretch the floor and raise us up to an "elite offense." The real issue is team defense.

There are some things that we just don't have on D (like elite shot blocking), and there is no sense in crying about that. But the little things like getting out and challenging passing lanes, contesting 3-point shooters, and team rebounding, we can do that. In fact, we're vastly improved in these measurables over last year. But I'm waiting for us to pick that up another notch.

GS routinely exposes and breaks down our team D with early shooting, cuts, and easy drives. We also play into their hands by turning the ball over and failures on the glass. These things are mostly fixable.

I love it when we shoot like we did against OKC, but we won that game with a shootout mentality. Our guards have to show more mental toughness on D as the shot clock winds down.

Beverley's defensive rating in the last game against Portland was 123.2 (-17.6 below his season average). Lou Williams (defensive rating 107.5 against Portland) is a poor defender mostly because of an unwillingness to slide that extra step, use his hands, and give up his body. Obviously, they are both struggling on offense--being either hit or miss. But we need more presence on the defensive end.

I'd like to see these players (and Gordon too) close out on shooters under control and help on the drive by actually taking away the passing lane. They can also put more than mere NBA token pressure on the ball. Can we make any player on GS actually pick up their dribble early?

By the way, salute to Trevor Ariza for bringing it: 6 steals and 8 deflections. Williams, Gordon, and Beverley had 1 deflection each. One steal by Williams.

 

Over/under 30 free throws for the rockets 8 made 3s?

 

I wish I could shred an ounce of optimism for this game. I just can't. Harden's wrist. No Anderson. Golden State finding their Durantless groove that won them 73 freaking games last year. There is just nothing I can look at that says we win this game. If we do great. But the chances are somewhere between slim and none.

 

Only 3 bench.players can use is that something wrong done by Morey?

 

I don't think we win either but this would be a chance for Harden to help claim the MVP. If we sweep the Dubs in Oracle, that checks a box not many have checked in the past few years.

 

Lose by 30 idc.

 

We will get blown out, the Warriors are clicking.

DD