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If Rockets go down 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals, they don't have a chance against Golden State. Everyone on Houston is going to have to step up.
That's a bit much. A sweep is obviously possible, but strikes me as unlikely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matadora
When the Rockets just stand around on top of allowing easy baskets for GSW like they did in this game tonight...nope they can't win!
The Warriors defended the Rockets a lot better than the Rockets defended the Warriors. And when the Rockets did defend well (like the series of KD mid-post ISOs in the 3rd), supreme offensive talent overcame what they did.
This was a strange game, with the Brothers-Foster combo bringing a lot of inconsistent whistles and chopping up the pace of the game.
The Rockets came out shooting well, but they were making a lot of tough shots. The Warriors defense stayed engaged, and kept forcing Houston to try to make tough ones. This is still the best defense of the NBA.
Hats off to Kevon Looney, who played an absolute masterpiece for a 3rd year pro with 24 minutes and a 2/4/1 statline. The Warriors' audacious defensive scheme was to switch the screen and stick with late help on Houston's creators. The Rockets repeatedly found Looney matched up with Harden and Paul at the top of the 3 point line. Looney played phenomenal defense on those guys, forcing them to take challenging shots or give up the ball almost every single possession.
Steve Kerr is throwing down the gauntlet at the Rockets. If they don't double KD, Kerr is going to keep feeding him and the guy is an unstoppable one-on-one scorer. But we've seen in these playoffs what happens when teams double KD. He passes out of the double and the Warriors produce layups and open 3s. I think D'Antoni has it right, and just needs to hope that KD misses more of those turnarounds.
The best set of wing defenders in the league took away the passing lanes on Harden & Paul drives, while offering enough help to force difficult shots. I don't know what you can do against that. Good luck--nobody else does, either.
The Rockets did a nice job of bringing physicality in this game--they're going to need to bring that every night. The only exception was Capela. He got bodied by Dray and KD all game, and didn't make his physical presence known. That has to change.
Klay Thompson delivered the kind of playoff performance we expect from him--perfect basketball. He took the shots the defense offered (they can't give him this much space). He did first-team all-defense work against Chris Paul. 42 minutes of elite basketball. The best Shooting Guard in the NBA (Harden is a Point Guard).
Steph played a gritty game. This is the kind of game where you see why he is a champion and one of the best basketball players in the world. It was a night for KD to feast on single coverage. It was a night to dare the Rockets' stars to carry all of the scoring. The Warriors were willing to let the Rockets screen Curry onto Harden (a ridiculous mismatch), and Curry took the challenge--over and over. We saw the little guard box out Tucker, we saw him put a body on Capela after a miss, we saw him set screens to get KD mismatches, and we saw him steady his team when it got close by attacking the basket. Marvel, because you are watching a Legend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcresHomes44
If Rockets go down 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals, they don't have a chance against Golden State. Everyone on Houston is going to have to step up.
It's hard for me to imagine the Rockets winning 2 of 3 in Oakland. Game 2 is as close to a must-win for the Rockets as it will get. It is decision time for D'Antoni, and it's come early--do you stick with your plan: force switches and mismatches on offense, single KD on defense, or do you try something new. In a normal Game 2, this isn't a make-or-break decision. It looks like exactly that for Wednesday.
D'Antoni, Harden & Paul are all big huge question marks when it comes to the playoffs. They certainly aren't scoring 50 in a quarter on the Warriors like they did in round 1 vs. the T'Wolves, and got semi-lucky that Rubio got injured in the Jazz series. The Rockets probably win the series anyways regardless but it might be an extra game or 2 if Rubio is healthy. Houston had better hold serve at home though. I know they only played once in Oakland this year and Houston won, but that was the opening day of the year, the ring ceremony where road teams generally play well, probably pissed that they are having the ring ceremony on that specific day they are in town. I have confidence the Warriors can win in Houston, I'm not sold on the Rockets winning in Oakland. If Warriors can get out of Houston 1-1 I think they are winning the series, if the Warriors can get out of Houston 2-0 they are definitely winning the series since the Rockets won't be winning twice at Oracle.
Should Golden State win tonight, Houston is getting swept.
That'll be especially true should the Warriors win tonight. Golden State has won 15 straight home games in the playoffs, tying the record. I think they'll make it 17 with both games in Oakland.
If Rockets go down 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals, they don't have a chance against Golden State. Everyone on Houston is going to have to step up.
I agree. Golden State is next to impossible to beat on their home court when they have everyone on their roster playing at a high level.
That's a bit much. A sweep is obviously possible, but strikes me as unlikely.
The Warriors defended the Rockets a lot better than the Rockets defended the Warriors. And when the Rockets did defend well (like the series of KD mid-post ISOs in the 3rd), supreme offensive talent overcame what they did.
This was a strange game, with the Brothers-Foster combo bringing a lot of inconsistent whistles and chopping up the pace of the game.
The Rockets came out shooting well, but they were making a lot of tough shots. The Warriors defense stayed engaged, and kept forcing Houston to try to make tough ones. This is still the best defense of the NBA.
Hats off to Kevon Looney, who played an absolute masterpiece for a 3rd year pro with 24 minutes and a 2/4/1 statline. The Warriors' audacious defensive scheme was to switch the screen and stick with late help on Houston's creators. The Rockets repeatedly found Looney matched up with Harden and Paul at the top of the 3 point line. Looney played phenomenal defense on those guys, forcing them to take challenging shots or give up the ball almost every single possession.
Steve Kerr is throwing down the gauntlet at the Rockets. If they don't double KD, Kerr is going to keep feeding him and the guy is an unstoppable one-on-one scorer. But we've seen in these playoffs what happens when teams double KD. He passes out of the double and the Warriors produce layups and open 3s. I think D'Antoni has it right, and just needs to hope that KD misses more of those turnarounds.
The best set of wing defenders in the league took away the passing lanes on Harden & Paul drives, while offering enough help to force difficult shots. I don't know what you can do against that. Good luck--nobody else does, either.
The Rockets did a nice job of bringing physicality in this game--they're going to need to bring that every night. The only exception was Capela. He got bodied by Dray and KD all game, and didn't make his physical presence known. That has to change.
Klay Thompson delivered the kind of playoff performance we expect from him--perfect basketball. He took the shots the defense offered (they can't give him this much space). He did first-team all-defense work against Chris Paul. 42 minutes of elite basketball. The best Shooting Guard in the NBA (Harden is a Point Guard).
Steph played a gritty game. This is the kind of game where you see why he is a champion and one of the best basketball players in the world. It was a night for KD to feast on single coverage. It was a night to dare the Rockets' stars to carry all of the scoring. The Warriors were willing to let the Rockets screen Curry onto Harden (a ridiculous mismatch), and Curry took the challenge--over and over. We saw the little guard box out Tucker, we saw him put a body on Capela after a miss, we saw him set screens to get KD mismatches, and we saw him steady his team when it got close by attacking the basket. Marvel, because you are watching a Legend.
It's hard for me to imagine the Rockets winning 2 of 3 in Oakland. Game 2 is as close to a must-win for the Rockets as it will get. It is decision time for D'Antoni, and it's come early--do you stick with your plan: force switches and mismatches on offense, single KD on defense, or do you try something new. In a normal Game 2, this isn't a make-or-break decision. It looks like exactly that for Wednesday.
A sweep won't be unlikely at all should Houston lose tonight. It's going to be a sweep with Golden State heading home up 2-0. It's hard to imagine the Rockets winning in Oakland. Period.
That sure cooled off the "sweep" crowd which was ridiculous imo.
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