Clutchfans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 8/20/2020 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

i can see them flopping even more, and playing more physical w/ ego. but they did make almost every one of their open 3's, whether it was ferguson, baizley, gallo, shai, or cp3. i actually see more room for improvement on our side w/ respect to making open 3's and adjustments. perhaps harden and mac cool off next game and it comes down to the final minutes. i think that's basically the best okc can hope for

 

OKC will play better, gotta keep up the defensive effort.

 

Great video by the Rockets hype team! Loved it.

 

Keys to the win was the patience that Harden and Gordon showed all night. They didn’t jack up threes. Gordon’s driving to the basket was great.

Team defense was solid. The height disadvantage led to open 3’s for the Thunder.
Ro-Co needs to start making his shots.
Rivers shouldn’t be hesitant to take jumpers whenever he gets an opportunity. Gallio was the toughest matchup. Ro-Co and PJ need to get after him all night long in Game 2.
We can win Game 2 without Russ.

Go Houston Rockets!

 

CP almost cried in postgame interview. He was so sure the whole game they will abuse smallball with proper basketball through Adams only to get clapped

 

FIFY

 

One change I expect them to make is to play Nader more because we're not guarding Diallo nor Ferguson and essentially giving them open looks. Harden can rest on defense and they're basically playing 4 on 5. They'll be better prepared and I don't expect us to shoot as well as we did in Game 1 so I think it'll be a closer game, but I think we still win though of course.

 

Having Green bring the ball up totally discombobulated the Thunder. Freed up Harden a lot and just kept the defense on their heels.

Schroeder also looked like he was in his head.

 

I'm sure they will, but this was as off ball as I've ever seen him play. EGo and Green did plenty of attacking. If anything they need to adjust for those guys. Harden's going to get his regardless, I doubt they are okay with the role players going off.

 

Game 1 was a masterclass - executed on offense to a T and choked off everything OKC tried on the other end of the floor. Play after play, we had open looks while OKC was forced to play 1:1 on the other end.

Shroeder and SGA are better iso players than they showed in Game 1. If they attack the rim with more purpose, that will open up OKC's offense a bit more and potentially get PJ and Green into foul trouble. And on defense, I bet OKC doubles off of Covington hard to muck up our primary action.

 

we are gonna do good this playoffs aslong we dont have brick house maker ariza.

 

they can double off Covington all they want he can still drive it and dish again if he chooses not to shoot or cut to the rim.

the only hope they have is that we go into a shooting slump. There is no answer for Eric’s deep three or Ben moving to get open for a three. They are at our mercy.

I wonder if they’ll take Adams out and go small if they fall behind again. I’d like to see Eric Gordon posting up if they do.

in fact I don’t even think we need Russ to beat them anymore.... let the man heal up for round two....well need him then.

 

Rockets, maintain confidence and composure.

All I can say is keep attacking the rim with that speed and ferocity. They won't know what to ****ing do.

 

I’m convinced if we had green in 2018 wcf finals or even last season in the playoffs we would have beaten the warriors. He would make Green come and guard him instead of Clint who was rendered useless. In Phoenix MDA used Boris Diaw a lot like he uses Jeff now with great effect

 

We have him in Covington but at least cov can fake and dribble without kicking the ball.

 

covington dont take alot of shots. ariza takes about 8-10 and bricks most of them in the playoffs. I he knows bmac is better shooter and tries to get it in his hands if hes open. Ariza just keeps firing them up, cov only takes about 2-4 shots a game.

 

Stay humble, stay hungry.

 

GO ROCKETS!!!

 

These afternoon games make me nervous. Shouldn't matter in the Bubble, but I'm still jittery.

Thump the Thunder!

 

even kobe had lamar odom to take some on ball pressure of him, which helped lead them to 2 rings