Clutchfans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 8/18/2020 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

“The Rockets will struggle in the playoffs against the Thunder without Westbrook”

Imagine someone telling you this sentence a year ago

 

This was the first post that the Rockets & this thread needed.

Let's go Rockets!

 

I know, I remember when Beasley was here and did the same thing, still love the guy

 

Still can't get over Morey traded him for Tyler Ennis. IMO if he didn't get traded that year he was going to average 20+10 for us. He was the perfect stretch 4 for us.

 

Exactly! I wanna see Ro-Co making some clean jumpers too, along with Austin/ House.
Keep on inflicting pain, along with defense.

 

Same. If we can defend like this, which is our effort and scheme, stuff that we can control, I don’t care if they have Dort back and mix it up blah blah. We limited them to only 105 points game one. If we keep limiting them to around 105 points, I like our chances a lot no matter what they do. People were like woo Houston cannot keep shooting like this in game one. Well even if our percentage drop by a few points we probably still can score enough to beat 105. This is just how we play. Lots of threes and lots of possessions with the beard. That is something OKC will have to figure out to counter and I don’t see how.

 

Yeah RoCo, Rivers and to some extent House didn’t shoot really well. Look for BillyD send early double team to Harden from this and on and those guys need to step up big.

 

Definitely. It’s all mental. Practice and believe in yourself. Take good shots. Eric shouldn’t take long 3’s either. Just step in a bit, and the ball will go in most of the time. It’s going to be a physical game.
Keys to Game 2, limit OKC’s dribble penetration. Make good shots, don’t give them too many open looks.

 

Their penetration game was not effective in game one against us I think due primarily to our quick switching closing the paint. Shoreder couldnt our quick us to the rim, which was his bread and butter. I am not sure why BillyD assigned him to defending Harden one on one with no help. Stan Van Gundy had a valid point that their defense will need to be muck quicker to help. So I think these are lowest hanging fruits BillD will pick for game 2 adjustment. Our offense needs to be ready after Harden kicks out of traffic. RoCo can’t go 2 for 8 on wide open looks or jack up a contested 3 when things become tight. We need to stay disciplined trusting our game plan. For a couple of possessions in game one, I didn’t like EGO took a boneheaded long 3 and JG step in taking a contested 3 ( he is only 31% 3p shooter). Those plays are out of our characters and if we have too many of them, it will be difficult. If we stay in our character, I like our chances a lot no matter what they do.

 

In my experience, DC area sports fans are pretty loyal. Can't fault a guy for that. I have lived in New England for nearly 20 years, and I am still a loyal Houston sports fan. Can't go changing all your loyalties just because you got a job in a new city.

 

Except that wasn't going to average 20 and 10 as long as MDA is here.

 

tell me more

 

Durant and Beasley were very close, Durant is probably already a billionaire to a minute lesser extent than LBJ is while Beasley's career fell into a heap scrap whenever possible. It is both physical and mental talents along with bad luck.

 

Stretch 4 that was not a 3ball shooter?

Liked Beasley too but he was Melo lite.

 

Anyone think they might actually go small against us and bench Adam and Noel for stretches? Gallo at center?

 

This is what OKC fans think as well.



It really will not matter.

 

OKC is shook.

Not playing their best 5 just plays into Rockets hands.

 

Thank you!

 

I can see them going with Bazley at center.

 

That was exactly what I needed.