Have you even watched the Clippers Rockets games this season? THIS is the order of most favorable to least favorable: 1. Memphis Grizzlies 2. Memphis Grizzlies 3. Memphis Grizzlies 4. Oklahoma City Thunder 5. San Antonio Spurs 6. Denver Nuggets 7. Los Angeles Clippers
Yea - I know they dominated (watched them all) but they're a different team with Billups in the line-up and their defenses fraying while the Rox have grown up some since those games (at least that's my hope). Though the Rox have recorded a win against OKC - that was really just Harden/Lin catching fire - great win and fun - but I don't put that much stock into it; if KD was his normal self that game (got kicked in the hip by Ibaka in the 1st quarter - didn't look right after that), OKC wins that game hands-down.
I hope we face Denver. We match up well against them and they will hit a wall soon and slow down. Its all about how teams are playing heading INTO the playoffs. Not a month before
The difference is OKC actually lets Harden and Lin heat up. Spurs on a lesser scale (dat 38pt and 6pt game by Lin) No such chance against the Nuggets. Clippers just build a 40 point lead anyway so Harden and Lin heads to the bench because it is garbage time.
I remember when OKC first made the playoffs and they lost to the lakers in the first round but all the games were super close. This might happy to the rockets too... Hopefully we can win with Harden at the end though.
I would rather the Rox play Denver than Spurs or Thunder. Right now, Denver is a better version of the Rox, but Rox have the best player of the two teams with Harden. Iguodala can neutralize Harden to an extent defensively which is why they are 3-0 against the team this year. Denver is on a major hot streak right now, but I keep feeling one of the better teams will figure them out over a 7 game series.
My order goes: 1) Memphis 2) Clippers 3) Nuggets 4) OKC 5) Spurs Reason? I'll take youth and inexperience over OKC and especially the Spurs in any playoff matchup. On paper, Memphis is our best opponent given our contrasting game styles, and the fact we have beaten them with relative ease. Regarding the Clippers and Nuggets, I think we have a chance to win those series simply because there are a lot of unknowns. Both teams are relatively young and inexperienced. The nuggets are 'vulnerable' insofar as they have a strong core but no stand-out superstar that can finish late-- and who knows how that plays out in the playoffs? The Clippers are a solid team but if you shut down Chris Paul (not saying thats easy) you have a chance. The Thunder and spurs are at the bottom of my list based on superstar power + experience. Yes we could outrun the Spurs (that would be the game plan--out score them), but Pop will outcoach McHale down the stretch. With OKC they have too much fire power + superstars to make clutch shots down the stretch. I think the Rockets are obviously vulnerable due to youth + inexperience so matching up against a similar team is our best shot. Taking on crafty veteran teams in a best of 7 game series? no thanks
I think we can after watching last night vs Spurs YES!! Rockets have something the Nuggets do not have & thats a Superstar!!
It's possible but not likely. They aren't the most experienced team in the playoffs and they aren't great on the road. If the Rockets could steal game 1 or 2 they might have a shot. Harden will be the best player on the court which also helps.
But Denver has a lot of things we do not. Defense Home Court advantage Offensive rebounding (14 a game) Depth Iguodala + Faried Harden has struggled against Denver this year. There's not a chance we can beat this team 4 times in a series.
Rockets have also played Denver during a stretch of a lot of games in a short window. The 2nd time the Rockets played Denver it was the end of a 6 game in 8 night stretch, including 4 straight road games. Then a week later, the Rockets were on a 4 game in 7 night stretch including the emotional drubbing of Utah the game before. Still every game so far has been 10 points or less victory of the Nuggets with the Rockets holding a 2nd half lead in all 3 games.
so what is the tie breakers between memphis and clippers, memphis and denver and if it was a 3 way tie?!
