1) Houston Rockets vs. 2) Golden State Warriors

[handicappers]

His mom evicted him because she got tired of his act.

When did your mom evict you?

Top 8 cheddar stacker

 

[msgkings322]

Aside from only taking 14 FT's (compared to 27 for Hou.)...GS turned the ball over 16 times which is too many against a top team, even if the game is on your home floor.
Plus, as some others have pointed out, there was too much iso ball by the dubs that led to some head scratching decisions and poor shot selections.

One thing though...the Dubs are usually pretty good at making necessary adjustments after a tough loss.

Houston's D CAUSED most of the TOs. I'm surprised it wasn't more.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Houston's D CAUSED most of the TOs. I'm surprised it wasn't more.

True....but a lot of them were also self inflicted.

 

[gordontrue]

First long series for the warriors since getting Durant.

 

[msgkings322]

True....but a lot of them were also self inflicted.

Sure, but that was being out of rhythm. Look how good Houston had to play and how shitty the Ws did. And they still barely lost. I think Ws in 6 is definitely in play. And it might be 2 more close games too.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Obviously I'm hoping the Dubs can somehow win the next 2 games....but purely just from a basketball fan's perspective, it would be awesome if this series, and the Cavs-Celts series went to a deciding game 7...in which case I'd root for the dubs and celtics to meet for the title.

 

[msgkings322]

First long series for the warriors since getting Durant.

Best playoff team faced since this current run started in 2015

 

[gordontrue]

Best playoff team faced since this current run started in 2015

No doubt, especially accounting for kawhis absence last year.

I mean, I think you could make an argument for the 2016 Cavs and/or 2016 OKC, but going off their season success going into the series, these Rockets obviously have the clear edge.

 

[LAD]

Interestingly, I think both teams will actually be under considerable pressure to win game 5.

If I was the warriors I would be concerned that the Rockets seem due still for an offensive explosion.

If I was the Rockets I would be concerned that I'm playing the warriors.

No. We saw their explosive offense in game 2. They don't get any better than that. GS couldn't find the basket in that game.Nor could they defend.
If anything Hou better hope they don't see the same GS team they played in game 3.

 

[WiggyRuss]

No doubt, especially accounting for kawhis absence last year.

I mean, I think you could make an argument for the 2016 Cavs and/or 2016 OKC, but going off their season success going into the series, these Rockets obviously have the clear edge.

i still gotta go with the champion Cavs team- they punked a 73 win team on their home floor to win the title in the greatest comeback in nba history

 

[Robotech]

Should Paul have missed the last FT? How much time would come off the clock if the Warriors rebound it and call timeout? I'd think at least 0.2, but maybe more.

 

[calsnowskier]

No doubt, especially accounting for kawhis absence last year.

I mean, I think you could make an argument for the 2016 Cavs and/or 2016 OKC, but going off their season success going into the series, these Rockets obviously have the clear edge.

18 Rockets
16 Thunder
17 Cavs
16 Cavs

 

[wildturkey]

Should Paul have missed the last FT? How much time would come off the clock if the Warriors rebound it and call timeout? I'd think at least 0.2, but maybe more.

Yes. He absolutely should have missed. It's impossible to catch the rebound and call TO and still have enough time to get a shot

 

[Robotech]

Yes. He absolutely should have missed. It's impossible to catch the rebound and call TO and still have enough time to get a shot

Yeah, and there's a chance the Warriors don't even get the rebound or the ball gets tipped and time runs out.

 

[wildturkey]

The Dubs missed Iggy way more than they'll admit tonight not just because of what Iggy gives them, but because they got tired. Their bench gave them nothing tonight. Any time they were in, Houston would close in and Kerr had to put the starters back in. Livingston looks washed, Cook gave them good minutes this season but is too inexperienced for these situations, Nick Young is and always has been fool's gold trash, most of their bigs are unplayable against Houston. So the Dubs starters played most of the game, got winded, and let that fatigue creep into their games mentally in the 4th where they abandoned cuts and ball movement (stuff that takes energy) and settled for a lot of tough isos. Houston only played 7 guys as well but they were better suited to handle it tonight. The Warriors weren't.

 

[larryjohn]

... Houston only played 7 guys as well but they were better suited to handle it tonight. The Warriors weren't.

Interesting comment ... I wonder why the Rockets were "better suited to handle it" ? Better shape ? Better coached ? Stronger mentally at crunchtime ?

 

[wildturkey]

Interesting comment ... I wonder why the Rockets were "better suited to handle it" ? Better shape ? Better coached ? Stronger mentally at crunchtime ?

They've gone short rotations plenty this season and the guys they have out there this series all know their roles, what to do, and where to be (especially when it comes to defensive switching). The Warriors for example were giving extra minutes to Looney (who has been good but this might be asking too much) and trying to work Jordan Bell back in after basically not playing the latter half of the season

 

[The Derski]

I think there was about 5 seconds left when Klay got trapped. Call a TO right there and that’s the perfect amount of time to draw up a play.

 

[Raw_Bee808]

 

[tlance]

I have never seen the Warrior offense look worse than it did in the 4th quarter last night. Yes, Houston's defense was great. But the shot selection was awful. All they needed was a couple buckets during that 8 minutes stretch to start the quarter.

Game 5 is still a must win for Houston. Now with the Warriors being a bit banged up (Iggy and Klay) I think they have a puncher's chance. Still going Dubs in 6, but I may have underestimated the Rockets a bit.