Houston Rockets 110, Indiana Pacers 100: Attack Mode Engaged

I would agree with you Yoaman....I would give it a try (posting up). Every option is to be considered. Bogut is a good post defender as is D Green, as they try to get the post up player out of that 4-6 foot range and into that 7-8 foot just out of the post up players comfort range. Top that with tenacious 6-7 to 6-8 guys hounding you as soon as you put the ball on the ground. It's tough. As soon as D-12 or D-Mo or TJ gets the ball.....they have to go. If you replay the game in Golden State. We posted up and, "they may have hacked us" Yes....but it's home court cooking. They will get 4 home court games against us where they hack us.....if we go 7. The other thing is because they are all long (take out 6'3" Curry and put in Livingston 6'9") they block a lot a shots from behind....the double move of our post up guy is hampered. One way to get prime position on the block is to run interference such as rub(screen) D-12 against D-Mo's guy.....D-Mo then gets 4-6 feet or on the block desired....or vice-versa....freeing up D-12 to get prime position. The other guy running interference then clears out. I'm sure we will try it all. I just know they will set a screen with Bogut at the top of the key....once the screen was set (in Golden State) Bogut released down the lane for easy rebounds and put backs. Neither Bev or Jet can stop that on those forced switches....but Ariza or KJ may be able to keep themselves between Bogut and the ball better. While our center is forced into a switch covering Curry or Klay.

FYI, Shaun Livingston is 6' 6" (6' 7" in shoes). LINK

At this point, I am not the least bit worried about attacking the Warriors. We have more pressing concerns like shutting down Monta, Dirk, Chandler, and the rest of the Mavs....or the two-time defending WC champs.....or the league's best PG, PF, rebounder, and 6th man in LA.....I am reminded of Jim Mora's infamous "playoffs!" rant.

As things are, we will have to go through two of those three teams plus Memphis/Portland. Right now, I'd guess San Antonio and Memphis. The Warriors will most likely face OKC and Portland. Neither of those roads is easy.

Since we are talking about it, I do agree Houston will do their best to work the post and get some fouls on Bogut, but this series will be about small ball and we will see a lot of Smith/Jones front courts versus Howard/Motie. Bogut plays limited minutes (23.8/game) and played 27.3/game in last year's playoffs.

What concerns me is the bench units. They bring Livingston, Iguodala, Lee, Ezeli, Barnes, and Speights in different combos that force mismatches. We counter with Brewer, Jet, Smith, Motie (presuming Jones is starting), and Prigioni. For the Rockets to win this series these guys have to provide a +8 to +10 every night. Curry, Thompson, Green, and Bogut are too much to ask Harden to carry us past all by himself.

Personally, I think we should try to lock down everyone else and force Curry to do it all. Teams try, try, and try again to force it out of his hands--and we've seen how well it works. Curry will tire eventually and if we can keep Klay and Draymond from raining threes on us we stand a much better chance. I know, easier said than done. They take the 5th most three pointers per game and make 39.4% of them (1st in the league). If we can take that away then I think we can beat them.

Looking at their game logs, Klay Thompson doesn't affect W's and L's when his efficiency dips. They are 8-2 when he shoots 33% or lower.

On the other hand, Draymond Green does affect the W/L column. They are 14-8 when Green shoots 33% or lower. That is 8 of their 13 total losses. This must be the key!!!

Just for good measure the Warriors are 7-1 when Curry shoots 33% or lower.

I just had a frightening thought about Green going to San Antonio after this season. He and Leonard would be a ridiculous pair of two-way wings. I guess it's not anymore of a concern than him staying in GS.... :unsure: