I think the travel schedule is a big help to the Rockets. Clips played a physical and emotional series and game, now have to be suited up in Houston in less than 48 hours. Then that keeps up every other day thru game 6, on a team with not much depth to start with.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rockets open -140 to win series, -3 to win Game 1 at 5Dimes.</p>— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/status/594875669844111360">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I like how you think. Although, in LA, it will read this way... and I have to think the truth is somewhere in between: The Clips are just as athletic as the Rockets (unlike the Mavs), have a much deeper bench, will be able to exploit their weak defensive point guards with the shooting of Barnes and Reddick (while Ariza and Brewer are tied in knots by Paul), the Clips can throw 6 hard Barnes fouls at Harden with elite rim protection behind him, Josh Smith is a hot-head who will be out-worked by Griffin, Jordan will outclass Howard.
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My fear is this will turn into the hackiest series ever-- enough for Silver to call an emergency session of the competition committee. Or perhaps the coaches can make a gentlemen's agreement to not hack.
Spoiler LAC beat <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">James Harden averaged 20.0 ppg. and shot 35.8% and 24.0% on threes against Clippers, well below season averages of 27.4, 44.0% and 37.5%.</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594858959028113408">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clippers have won 11 of last 14 games against the Houston Rockets, though Rockets have won last two.</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594859577058852864">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clippers can put a quick end to Hack-a-Jordan in second round with Dwight Howard (52.8%), Josh Smith (52.1%) providing dual counter options.</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594861607605248000">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Rockets are largely L.A. Story between James Harden (Artesia High), Trevor Ariza (Westchester High, Lakers) and Dwight Howard (Lakers).</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594862129573801985">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Houston Rockets have a lesser playoff pedigree since 1997 (two playoff series wins) than Clippers since Chris Paul's arrival (three).</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594873495256895488">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Clips run a crap load picks. We have to switch and not get confused. We also need to double team, something we rarely do. Harden can't get into a pg battle with Cp3. Like I said for a while, nothing good comes out of that when its done the whole 3rd and 4th quarter
My prediction: Rockets in 5, a gentleman's sweep. A gimpy CP3 will be hounded by Ariza/Brewer and limited by their size and quickness. Clippers don't have anyone else to create offense. Should Griffin dare to dribble on JSmoove, you can expect Brewer to pick Griffin's pocket a few times a game and turn them into transition baskets. Harden will destroy whoever guarding him. JSmoove will pick apart Griffin/Jordan's poor P&R defense. Playoff Dwight will show Jordan who is the best 2-way center in the league by a mile.
Best possible matchup, if we drew the Spurs, I'd say we're screwed, but barring ref interference I think the Rockets have a very good chance of making it to the WCF now.
I would really say rockets in 5. It just depends how comfortable, complacent, and cocky Harden gets when he wants heroball. All our players look like crap when that happens and here come the hof saying how trash our role players are.
my guess is everyone backs the clippers and line moves further out to entice and trap the average punter. this is called being square and happens a lot with major franchises like the clippers which everyone bets on too much
I think we can beat anybody. Gsw throws the whole kitchen sink at you though. Motion offense, picksx midrange, post playmaking....
All those experts picking the Clips ALL had the Spurs over the Clips. So, them not picking us doesn't make me sweat one drop. Besides, rocket fans subsist on a diet consisting of 40% nba hate, 50% expert doubt, and 10% grilled meats, so, keep doubting experts (though I'm afraid if we make the western finals that I may then die from over eating).
Clippers are 6 deep total. They just played a brutal 7 game series. Cp3 may be hurt. Rockets should take this in 5 or 6. Clippers haven't faced THIS rockets team this year. Renewed dwight, smith and brewer ballin out of control. Vs what should be a worn down shirt handed (cuz of the terrible bench) clippers team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Doc Rivers said after Game 7 that one way he intends to get players rest in next round against Rockets is to use more players off his bench.</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594898176915607552">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's my Clippers' conference semifinal pick, so they can leave it off the sheet they give to players in locker room: Clippers in 6.</p>— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) <a href="https://twitter.com/latbbolch/status/594899123486072832">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's a real "damned if you do, damned if you don't" sort of situation, the Clippers' bench is just awful, but if they don't use it their starts will get worn out. Part of the reason I like the Rockets to advance.
