46 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Discuss.

[Jason]

Well, I sure hope it is nothing like game 1. I just want us to show some fight and not get blown out. I also want to see us actually make some shots and maybe play a little defense too.

[blakecouey]

This guy will be at the game. Headed to Oklahoma for business right now.

Hope we can at least make it a competition this time. Id like to see less Smith and more Jones.

[Steven]

Jones goes 35 minutes and gets a double double with more blocks then Ibaka.

[tombrokeoff]

wow awesome, blake!  should be fun! be safe.

 

i hope the rockets show a little more fight and dont look so damn scared/lost on offense.  they all need more of beverleys fearlessness and hustle.

[thejohnnygold]

Bold Prediction: Ref's blow the whistle often in favor of the Rockets due to extra aggressiveness and we steal a game from the Thunder. 

[2016Champions]

Bold prediction: Delfino starts at PF and makes 7 three's en-route to 30 points which is overshadowed by James Harden's career high 50 points and Rockets win.

[ale11]

OKC did to use what they used to the entire 2012 playoffs: take off during 3rd quarter (although that actually started at the end of the 2nd). The only chance to upset OKC is what Miami pulled off last year: get Durant in foul trouble! (having LeBron helps, but we'll have to settle with the foul trouble). And that's gonna be a tough one on the road.

[feelingsupersonic]

Sort of bold prediction: The Rockets and coaching staff figure out a few things in game 2 that helps them win game 3.

Have a good time at that game Blake!

[Sir Thursday]

I'm still expecting OKC to win this one, but I think it will be closer. The Rockets will spend the whole game down by 5-10 points before a late run in the 4th quarter blows the game open and the Thunder end up winning by 15. Improved play from Smith (it's not possible to play as badly as he did in that first one again, I'm chalking that one down to nerves) and some hot shooting from Parsons prevent the Thunder from racing away.

 

 

ST

[thenit]

I will just be happy if we are withing striking distance at the start of the 4th Q

[bboley24]

BOLD PREDICTION:  Lineups and misuse of the PF position leads to another blow out and KM is benched for game 3.

[Jason]

BOLD PREDICTION: Lineups and misuse of the PF position leads to another blow out and KM is benched for game 3.

We don't have any Real power forwards. That's the problems. We have a bunch of prospects who have no business starting or even playing for a playoff team at this stage in their careers.

[bboley24]

Touche' my friend... hence del3no and the ratchet 

[Rahat Huq]

Beautiful 1st quarter, though we're still down 1....lol.  But in any event, much better.  

[Rahat Huq]

i wrote to keep in lin, this morning, with the thinking we'd get blown out.  but he's been ATROCIOUS and its a close game.  at this point, i have to go with aaron brooks.  lin is KILLING the rockets right now with his inability to do anything.  

[Sir Thursday]

I wouldn't go so far as to say he's killing them. In the first quarter I actually thought he played pretty well. There were a couple of good drive-and-kick actions (I think there were a times when people missed open threes off his action, he knocked in a three ball of his own and there were some easy finishes in delayed transition as well.

 

Second quarter was not so good by him, but because the Rockets were playing with Beverley and Harden on the court they had three ball handlers so it didn't matter so much.

 

I thought Smith had a much better time of it tonight - he was able to be a force on the offensive glass without giving up anything too noticeable on the defensive end. In fact in general I think the defensive scheme is holding up pretty well - just have to prevent Westbrook from getting up a head of steam and the Thunder have looked remarkably quiet.

 

Also, Patrick Beverley vs Russell Westbrook is a great duel! Hoping they can keep it up for the rest of the series.

 

ST

[Sir Thursday]

Really smart play by the Rockets at the end of the third quarter. With Westbrook pounding the ball at the top of the key, they put Garcia on him and had Beverley guard Durant because they knew that Durant was going to screen for Westbrook. When he did, the Rockets just switched on the pick and roll and left the Thunder with nothing. As a result they didn't get a shot off before time expired. Great anticipation/reading the Thunder's play calls, although if they weren't thinking about holding for the last shot I suspect OKC would have made more of an effort to get it to Durant on the mismatch.

 

ST

[Cooper]

Asik just can't finish at all.

[Rahat Huq]

For those that say the Rockets don't need Dwight Howard, again, I have to laugh at that sentiment and I point to this game as Exhibit Z.  As usual, Asik was stellar defending the rim....but missed countless shots at the rim.  Howard gives you that same defense but with finishing.