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Dyin’ Hard with House Money: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Second Round Preview

Small Meets Tall.    House Money.    Pure Pandemonium.   

“Now I have a machine gun… ho ho ho,” Bruce Willis declares as he’s strapped with heavy artillery in Die Hard, one of the best action movies of all time. On Friday night, what might go down as one of the most action packed series in NBA Playoff history, begins. James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Rockets fully-loaded Houston Rockets face their first real test of the season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers. And sure, you’ve heard all the talk. Houston’s the underdogs in this series. Not one “expert” on ESPN picked the Rockets to win this series. But that’s right where the Beard and Houston want to be. The pressure was mounting, like trying to climb Mount Everest, as the clock winded down in Game 7 of the Rockets first round victory over OKC. Harden and Houston dodged a bullet. If Harden doesn’t hustle his tail off to get that signature block, the Rockets are back in Texas right now. I had a feeling that was going in… but the Beard intervened, keeping Houston alive, and changed the Rockets destiny. Sure, a seven game series against a team that wasn’t even supposed to make the playoffs, as people say, in OKC, isn’t the best of looks. But, the way Houston came out of that series… how they won. The Rockets, especially James Harden, took pressure that must’ve felt like the weight of the world off their shoulders by ousting OKC. It would’ve just been too embarrassing to even process, trading Chris Paul and four future draft-picks, for Russell Westbrook. The trade was fair, but Houston wasn’t even supposed to be meet the Thunder this postseason at the time of that swap, let alone on the hinges of a Chris Paul jumper away from sudden death. CP3 and OKC were supposed to be in rebuilding mode, but they proved everyone wrong, and pushed Houston to the limit, in the process improving the Rockets going into next round’s battle with L.A.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, besides people in Houston’s locker room, and people who really know the Rockets, are picking L.A. to win this series. And it’s understandable. The Lakers still have arguably the best player in LeBron James, and the best big-man in basketball, Anthony Davis. However, unlike the Thunder, LA has no one who can guard James Harden, or Russell Westbrook. Besides LeBron James. But at his age, and with the load he’s carrying, LBJ won’t be on Houston’s superstars much unless it’s in the final minutes of clutch time. Nonetheless, the Rockets have two, so LeBron can’t guard both, and AD can’t guard either Russ or the Beard. And yes, Houston has a wooly mammoth of a problem on their hands with Anthony Davis. Small meets tall as L.A. is a much bigger team than the Thunder squad Houston faced in round one. P.J. Tucker will do his best, but he’s going to need help, and the Rockets have to out-shoot the Lakers if they want to win this series. Houston is by far the better shooting team on the perimeter, and three is still bette than two last time I checked. If the Rockets can avoid those soul-draining droughts, where they shoot 0-for-20-something from distance, Houston has a real chance to take the Lakers deep, and win this series. And against L.A., James Harden can’t play like he did offensively in Game 7 of the first round. But the Lakers have no one with close to the perimeter defensive abilities of Lu Dort, who honestly gave Harden the most fits of any player all season. Most people are focused on the size advantage L.A. has, and they do have a giant one. But the Rockets have a huge advantage on the perimeter. If James Harden and Russell Westbrook play up to their MVP-caliber level, the Rockets should win this series. That’s a big if, and it will all be determined over the next two weeks.

LeBron James, at 35 years old, is still one of the most dominant players in the game, and with his immense experience, never backs down from the moment. He’s one of the few players who can basically win a game by himself, maybe not anymore against the great teams, but LBJ gets compared to the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, for a reason. And LeBron is still one of the best players, if not the best when he wants to be, despite showing signs of aging and of nearing the end of the basketball tunnel. With a healthy LBJ and Anthony Davis leading guys playing their roles, even if they’re just Alex Caruso, or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Lakers can beat anyone, and it’s not a surprise at all that they’re heavily favored in this series. But don’t think Houston doesn’t have a chance. The Rockets can beat the Lakers if they can maintain L.A.’s bigs, not only Anthony Davis, but Javale McGee and former-Rocket Dwight Howard. They’re going to be just as important for the Lakers, as guys like Eric Gordon and Robert Covington will be key for Houston if the Rockets want to pull the upset.

As important as these “others” on both sides, this really is just a battle between superstars. A fiery chess match on the court. We know everyone thinks the Rockets can’t guard Anthony Davis and the Laker bigs. But who for Los Angeles, exactly is going to contain Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Tooth for a tooth, eye for an eye. This matchup’s an even battle if you look closely. The Lakers play hard every night, have the most experienced player in LeBron, and the best big-man in Anthony Davis. But L.A. isn’t as deep as Houston. The Rockets have two superstars in their primes, and an arsenal of experienced veterans ready to outplay L.A.’s “others.” Houston is more likely to be apathetic if they get a lead in this series, so if this series is going to be short, it’ll likely be in the Lakers favor. But don’t expect a sweep with these two legitimate contenders going head-to-head. Don’t be surprised if the Rockets find themselves in another seven game series. This one will be more difficult, Houston can’t have letdowns. LeBron is a Game 7 is James 7. He will dominate, he will be the best player on the floor. What does that mean? Houston better not hope this series goes seven games, because LeBron’s feeling pressure now, and then need to end it in six games. I don’t see that happening due to the Rockets trend of getting too comfortable. They’re not going up 2-0 or 3-1 on these Lakers. If they are, L.A.’s storming right back to make this a seven game series. That’s not necessarily the case the other way around. Houston’s the team that needs to get off to a hot start in this series. Game 1 isn critically important, a lead and more pressure on the Lakers. L.A. hasn’t played in a few days, and while they may be more rested than the Rockets, Houston’s in a better rhythm right now, coming off that demon-exorcising Game 7 win in the first round. Harden and the Rockets have to seize advantage from the opening tip in Game 1, and show everyone this series is going to be closer than most expect.

After being labeled last series as the “favorites”, Houston is clearly the underdogs in the eyes of most, giving them an added arsenal. Instead of the weight of the world, the Rockets are playing with house money against the Lakers. After dodging a thunderous OKC-bullet, Houston’s fully-loaded with heavy artillery ready to feast on the likes of Alex Caruso, KCP, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, J.R. Smith, and an injury-riddled Rajon Rondo, who’s likely to return in Game 1. A much different look from Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, at least for the Beard and Brodie. Houston’s superstars should excel in this series, as long as they’re smart finishing around the basket. Anthony Davis is one of the best shot-blockers in the game, and drives won’t be as easy as they were to finish in the OKC series against this Lakers team. Still, Houston has a legitimate shot, if they stay healthy and play up to the task.

The Rockets were the only team to beat the Lakers multiple times by double digits this season. I know, one of those wins didn’t feature a healthy L.A. team, but the other did, and the key to this series, besides the superstar matchup, is if Houston can prevent JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard from doing serious damage when they’re on the court. If the Rockets keep the action focused on the perimeter, take the bigs out of the game, and space the floor like Houston likes to do, Harden and Russ should have enough space and time to make the right decision. But this series is in their hands. If either one doesn’t show up, the Rockets will be in trouble. Luckily for Houston, Harden’s played well against the Lakers and LeBron, historically. The Beard’s outscored King James in their last seven meetings, and Harden has proven no one, not even LeBron (too slow, only in small stretches) can guard him on the Lakers.

So this battle of heavyweights comes down to Harden being Harden, and the Rockets slowing AD and the Laker bigs. Russ won’t back down from this moment. Neither will LBJ or AD. The Beard has to play like he does in the regular season against the Lakers, where 40-point performances are the norm, and the Rockets have the best chance at anyone, along with the Clippers, at dethroning LeBron from appearing in the Finals when he’s healthy. Expect Harden to play up to King James, and look more comfortable against a Lakers defense that has its hands full. After escaping a bout with revenge against an old friend, and a what seemed like a series of Russian Roulette, Harden and Houston is free of the pressure they were feeling since after losing Game 4 of the OKC series. And now, going into round two, all the pressure’s on L.A. This time, instead of passiveness, or a legit defender haunting him every game, Harden has avenues for aggressiveness, to explore en route to redeeming his entire reputation and career. Don’t expect anything but pure pandemonium. This one has the feelings of a classic series. Watch out Laker Nation, the Beard’s coming to ruin Christmas. And now, he has a machine gun… ho, ho, ho.

 

Series Prediction:  Rockets in 7

Harden My Presence: Rockets Block OKC’s Last Gust, Edge Thunder, 104-102, to Advance

Wild, Wild West.    Sigh of Relief.    Out of the Blue.

“Are you not entertained?”, Russell Crowe screams in Gladiator, after taking out a gang of fighters. And after an entertaining, twisty, and topsy-turvy seven-game series, the Rockets finally ousted the fighting Thunder in a decisive Game 7, 104-102, to advance to the next round. Houston barely made it out alive in the decisive game, and switched this matchup’s trend, winning their first close game of the series. James Harden, despite struggling offensively, made the defensive play that might define his legacy, that is, if the Rockets reach their ultimate goal. Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City’s sneaky defensive stud, who most people had never heard of before this series, had the game of his life on Wednesday. Dort, not known for an offensive sharpshooter, had quietly improved his shooting over this series. And in the final game of the epic battle, the undrafted rookie went 6-for-12 from deep, scoring 30 points to lead the Thunder, their hottest player of the night.

The play that saved Houston’s season started out nerve-wracking. OKC started the possession with the ball, off a rebound from a missed Rocket shot, and about 18 seconds on the clock. Chris Paul dribbled past the mid-court line and could have held the rock for the final shot, with Houston leading 103-102. OKC eventually found Lu Dort beyond the arc with about 3 seconds remaining. Dort nailed half his threes in Game 7, and seemed to be in a groove he’d yet to display shooting-wise in the series. As Dort caught the rock he was wide open on the perimeter. When the ball was passed, the Beard was in the paint, trying to prevent Steven Adams from getting the ball. Exerting maximum effort, Harden, out of the blue, somehow found enough quickness to close out on Dort, getting a finger on the ball, and barely blocking the shot. An open shot that had at least a 50% chance of falling, with the way Dort was shooting not the night. Without Harden’s hustle, Houston is back home right now. It wasn’t just his hustle. The Beard had the presence of mind to avoid Dort’s attempt to throw the ball off Harden, and give OKC one last look. The Thunder would get one more chance, with 1.1 seconds left, but a P.J. Tucker steal punched a ticked to the second round for the Rockets, and ended a wild game, and series.

Game 7 had all the makings of a classic. The matchup was close throughout, and despite Houston, grabbing the lead for the majority of the game, the Rockets never held a sizable advantage. And with OKC’s reputation as the best clutch team in the NBA, the Thunder were always in it as long as the game was close. James Harden struggled mightily again offensively in an elimination game, shooting only 1-for-9 from three, and scoring 17 points, fourth on the roster. The Beard made up for his lack of aggression on offense with a season-saving play on defense near the end of the game. But Houston needs Harden to avoid these types of mental collapses on offense if the Rockets want any chance of beating the Lakers in the next round. Or at least seize the moment. Whatever it is, something about elimination games put the Beard in shock. Hopefully it was Lu Dort’s sudden offensive emergence, a surprising sight for all to witness, that put Harden in a shock. Luckily, he snapped out of it as he entered the fourth quarter with 8 minutes to go. The Beard, despite having a torrid first three quarters, actually had a productive fourth quarter. Harden scored or assisted on the Houston’s final 13 points, with two buckets near the rim, and three dimes. Throw in a game-winning block, and Harden’s night wasn’t as bad as most people will tell you. However, the Rockets can’t afford mental lapses from Harden against L.A. Luckily the Lakers, other than LeBron, who will be carrying enough of L.A.’s load, don’t have anyone on Dort’s level capable of guarding Harden. In fact, look for Harden to feast on the Lakers. The Beard’s also outscored LeBron James in their last seven meetings. Harden plays well against the Lakers, and the Rockets were lucky to get by a Thunder team who matched up better against Houston’s guards. The Lakers may have LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the size advantage, but L.A. has nowhere near the perimeter depth OKC had with Paul, SGA, and Schroder. Look for Harden, along with Russell Westbrook, to perform at a higher level in the next series. 

The Rockets aren’t playing the Lakers if it weren’t for the “Others”, guys like Eric Gordon and Robert Covington, who led the way with 21 points apiece. RoCo nailed 6 huge threes, and was Houston’s MVP in Game 7 on both ends of the court. Gordon had the defensive game of his life guarding CP3, preventing the former Rocket from getting the revenge he was desperately looking for near the end of the game. If Gordon, who went 5-for-9 from the perimeter, is back performing like Splash Gordon on a nightly basis, these Rockets are going to be a lethal matchup for the Lakers. Gordon, along with RoCo’s play are the keys to beating L.A. in the next round if Houston wants to advance.

James Harden, the “guy who doesn’t play defense”, exhumed some playoff demons with a roar after his block on Lu Dort to basically seal the win, and the Beard sounded extra relieved in his post-game interview afterwards. This was a wild one. A game that should have never happened. But the Rockets toyed around with the Thunder long enough, and they’re lucky to make it out alive. Very lucky. This series felt like a game of Russian Roulette. A game, they likely won’t win, with the same mindset against the Lakers. If not for RoCo’s exceptional night, EG’s sudden renaissance, and Harden’s career-defining block, the Rockets would be headed back to Houston. Westbrook had 20 points and held down the fort during Harden’s offensive struggles. Jeff Green continues to fit perfectly in Houston, scoring 13 points. With Green’s bigger size, expect him to see more action in the next round against L.A. And Danuel House has quietly been strong defensively all series, one of many the Rockets will throw at LeBron James to try and slow down the game’s most dominant player. Mike D’Antoni’s coaching decisions were more logical in the decisive victory. In the long run, Houston will be tougher overall after gutting out a gritty seven-game first round series against OKC. It was no cake walk getting through the Thunder. If the Rockets can hold off exhaustion, and build on their current momentum riding into the next round, Houston has a chance against L.A. It won’t be easy. Don’t expect to see any sweeps. This one features two of the NBA’s top three teams, with the Clippers likely awaiting the winner. Barring any injuries, this next series has the potential to be the most competitive we’ll see all postseason. It’s the only the series in the league that’s going to feature three former MVP’s in LBJ, Harden, and Westbook (Unless the Rockets face the Bucks in the Finals). If their first round win over the Thunder wasn’t exciting enough, the next matchup against LeBron and the Lakers promises to be something special… prepare to be entertained.

Rockets Battle Thunder One Last Time in Decisive Game 7

Execution Time.    Crumbling Cookie.    The Last Dance.

“I’ve gone where the universe takes me my whole life. It’s better to make those decisions for yourself.” It’s one of my favorite quotes of all time. A line from El Camino, the Breaking Bad spinoff-film. And it’s an idea the Rockets need to take to heart, as Houston battles OKC tonight in a decisive Game 7. A matchup that will decide who advances to the next round, and which team’s bubble gets burst and sent home packing. Coming into this series, many expected a tight series. However, the way this battle has unraveled has had twists, turns, and seismic momentum shifts. Regardless of who wins tonight, the Rockets are the better team, but they might not be the better executioner. In all six games of their first round series, Houston has led the game with less than two minutes remaining. Yet, due to their inability to execute in crunch time against the wise, vengeful Chris Paul, we’ve got a 3-3 series, with tonight’s winner moving on to play the Lakers. It’s pretty simple for the Rockets if they want to advance. Houston needs to blast out of the gates and not even allow this decisive game to include any crunch time. Every Rocket victory has been a blowout, whilst every loss has been a nail-biting, heartbreaking defeat.

This is the biggest game in the James Harden era. And it’s not close. Even without Russell Westbrook, the Rockets held a 2-0 series edge, and were on the cusp of a commanding 3-0 series lead, before the Thunder rallied to win Game 3, and the tide of the series began to turn in OKC’s favor. Despite their being no “home-court advantage”, due to everyone playing in Orlando. Oddly enough, the “home” team (squad with the lower seed), has won every game in this series. Houston’s praying that trend continues, as they’ll be considered the “home” squad in Wednesday’s do-or-die battle that will end one team’s season. And possibly an era. Chris Paul’s only getting older. But the CP3-Thunder era has only lasted a year. For Houston’s personnel, the situation’s different. Mike D’Antoni has thrived as head coach since taking over for the Rockets in 2016, yet a loss tonight, and it could be his last game on as coach on Houston’s sidelines. These rumors surfaced earlier in the season, long before coronavirus. Reminds me of this summer’s ESPN documentary, The Last Dance, named for iconic coach Phil Jackson’s final run with the legendary Michael Jordan and those Chicago Bulls. Gossip has already surfaced that the Indiana Pacers, who fired their coach Nate McMillan (after being swept by the Miami Heat), are interested in D’Antoni’s services. Hopefully, Mike won’t be needed in Indy. Yes. His job’s on the line tonight. But for the Rockets, it’s more than just their head coach.

In the NBA, where the game has evolved over the years from inside oriented to a perimeter three-point fest, the Rockets are the epitome of this mantra. No one lives and dies by the three like Houston. It’s not even close. And if the Rockets want to avoid another nail-biter down the stretch, especially in a sudden-death scenario, they’re going to have to make a change. They’ve displayed time and again this series, they have multiple players who can get to the rim with relative ease. Specifically the obvious drivers with no regard for human life: Harden, Westbrook, and Eric Gordon. And Houston also has Austin Rivers, who’s shown dominant isolation performances in the bubble at times, and guys like Danuel House Jr. and Ben McLemore, who despite their trigger happy fingers, need to attack if the long bombs aren’t falling. The Rockets have stuck with this “live by the three, die by three mantra” all season. Now, in a regular season game, that style can win or lose you games, just depends if the shots are falling. In a Game 7 with legacies on the line, Houston has to come out a much more focused. Even more importantly, they need to add on to any early lead the squad can maintain.

The Rockets have been outplayed by the Thunder thrice in this series, despite having the lead in all of those games under the two-minute mark. Despite the extra point, and the beautiful arc and sound of a deep swish, the three-point land has is killing Houston. Or, to be accurate, the Rockets are killing themselves by stubbornly relying on a potential extra point from beyond. Tonight, the “live or die by the three” theme needs to be tossed out to window. In a Game 7, with seasons, legacies, and careers on the line… every single possession counts. Turnovers, and poor shot and decision-making have to be rare for the Rockets tonight. Chris Paul’s on a roll, and he’s got almost the entire country (outside of Houston) rooting for his Thunder to pull the upset. The pundits are eager to unleash more Harden hate. The Russ haters who believe he stat pads are ready to laugh if he gets beat by the 35-year-old, Chris Paul, who was supposed to be “over-the-hill.” The only hill Paul’s over right now is the one the Russ and the Rockets are occupying. One’s going to fall off. One of the smartest players of all time, CP3 is going to make the right decisions tonight on the court. Will Houston have the mental capacity to change their stubborn permitter ways if the shots aren’t falling? Do they realize, there’s no second chances. A loss, and the season ends tonight. No more, “oh, that shot looked good, so I took it.” No, you pump fake, you move the ball around, you find the best shot possible, like the Rockets did on their best possession of the season, four minutes into Game 4. There’s no time to look back. No more time to hope Houston figures out a way to save their season. Will this be Mike D’Antoni’s “Last Dance?” Will the Rockets continue to shoot themselves into oblivion, or dribble some common sense back into their game? They’ve gone where Moreyball and D’Antoni’s schemes have taken them all season. Tonight… the Rockets need to stray from the Morey-verse, and realize, as players… sometimes it’s better to make those decisions for yourself.

 

AdventHealth Arena:  Orlando,  Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3):  White

Houston Rockets (3-3):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  ESPN,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Deja Boo: Rockets Deflate Late Again, Crumble to Thunder, 104-100

Russ-strated.    Recurring Recipe for Disaster.    Closer to the Edge.

“How big a plane?”, The Protagonist, asks about crashing a plane, in Tenet, to which Neil replies, “well, that part is a little dramatic.” I was hoping I could use this quote in a later series, but unfortunately the Rockets crashed again, falling to OKC, 104-100. Once again, Houston were outplayed by Chris Paul and the Thunder in the clutch. CP3 scored 28 points, including some huge clutch threes to seal the victory against his former team, and force a decisive Game 7. Danilo Gallinari had one of his hot-shooting nights, with 25 points. James Harden had an average Beard-night, scoring 32 points, 8 boards, and 7 dimes. Other than Robert Covington, who finished with 18 points for the Rockets, Houston continues to be ice-cold from downtown.

Russell Westbrook’s certainly deserves much of the blame for this loss. But, haven’t played in weeks, and with only nitro gear to play on, Russ was bound to be rusty and turnover prone. Not only did Houston’s coaches know this before the game, any NBA fan did, and yet with the game on the line, Brodie found himself in charge of ball-handling duties. It’s time Coach Mike D’Antoni (MDA) takes some blame. There’s no reason James Harden shouldn’t touch the ball on the final three possessions of a close game. Yet, as Russ continuously turned the ball over, the Thunder creeped back in, and …after leading the series 2-0, and then 3-2, the Rockets find themselves facing a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday night.

This series has been predictable, in that OKC’s won every close game, while all of Houston’s victories have been blowouts. So if you’re watching and wondering, as time clicks away on the clock, who’s more likely to win the deciding game in this series, just look at the score. The longer the Rockets allow the Thunder to stay in the game, or for as long as it’s a close face-off, the game favors OKC. The Thunder have been far and away the better team down the stretch against Houston. However, if the Rockets can replicate the dominance they displayed in their Game 1, 2, and 5 wins, they need get off to a hot start in Game 7.The squad needs to play with the mental aspect of blowing OKC back home, the second the ball is flipped at half-court. 

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I mean, most expected a close series, but for the “home” team to win every game is certainly surprising given there’s no fans in-house durning the playoffs. And they’ll have one last chance to advance. And to move on for a matchup with King James and the Lakers, the Rockets need to make a statement with another blowout win in Game 7. But blowouts are rare in Game 7’s where injuries and anything unexpected can occur. In a Game 7, everyone leaves all their energy out on the floor. Houston doesn’t need to win via the destructive blowout, but the longer the game goes with score close, favors OKC. Now, with the season on the line, the squad’s best chance to beat OKC comes by getting off to a quick start. The Rockets need to jump ahead early in the first quarter, and pad the lead over the second and third quarter to avoid any dangerous close-calls with the best crunch-time team in the NBA. It’s been a season full of drama for Houston. The Rockets play for their lives on Wednesday night against their former teammate, Chris Paul, who can now almost taste revenge. In a Game 7, where the winner advances, and the loser goes home, anything’s possible, with injuries more likely due to extra effort exerted on both sides, in a winner-take-all game. A loss would arguably be the most embarrassing end to Houston’s season in the James Harden era. A win, and the Rockets might gain the confidence boost/sigh of relief they need to play more relaxed, and possibly beat the Lakers in thinnest round. But to even see LA on the court, Houston has to get through the toughest storm they’ve faced in the MDA and James Harden era. Up next, either the Rockets’ season comes to a crashing end, or they’re invigorated with new life. Game 7… now that’s more than little dramatic.

Rockets Intent on Eliminating Thunder in Game 6

Permanent Silence.    Rumbles of Revenge.    No Close Calls.

 

“Then you were exceedingly lucky. An inverted bullet through your body would be devastating. Not pretty,” another quote from Tenet, which hits theaters in Houston Monday night, just as the Rockets hope time run’s out on OKC’s season with a win in Game 6 tonight. Especially against Chris Paul, a seasoned veteran, and one of the wisest to ever play the game, closing out the Thunder won’t be easy. Russell Westbrook shouldn’t be as rusty as he was in Game 5, and James Harden has been stroking his shot efficiently, shooting 11-for-15 last game. The Rockets are lucky to have Westbrook back. And despite their season still being alive with a loss, Houston can’t take this OKC team for granted in Game 6. Chris Paul is going to have his Thunder team fighting until the final buzzer sounds. If the Rockets want to close out OKC tonight, they’re going to have to finally win a close game in this series… a task Houston’s failed to accomplish in this series.

All of three Rocket wins have been blowouts in this series. The Thunder aren’t going down without a fight. Close-out games are the most difficult, especially against the best leaders, and CP3, despite his age, will have OKC looking to push this series to a Game 7. A situation Houston needs to avoid at all costs. Anything can happen in a winner-take-all Game 7. Injuries, someone gets hot, or a close play decides the game, and thus series. But the Rockets are a better team than the Thunder. In order to avoid putting themselves in a dangerous Game 7 position, Houston has to enter tonight’s matchup with a Game 7 “leave it-all-on-the-floor” mentality. The key to Game 6, and Houston ending this series on Monday night, lies in the strength of their defense. After holding OKC to a mere 80 points in Game 5, the  Rockets now have had the best defensive rating in the playoffs at the moment. In this series, Houston is 3-0 when they hold OKC to under 115 points. When they allow the  Thunder to score 115 or more, the Rockets are 0-2. If Houston plays with the defensive intensity they’ve shown they’re capable of, this series should be over tonight.  Specifically, in OKC’s wins, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari have been factors offensively. However, Gallinari is inconsistent, and SGA is still a young player who’s shown elements of panic when swarmed by Houston’s defense. If the Rockets come out focused early, this game, and series, should be over in a few hours time.

However, That’s a big if. If Houston comes out lackadaisical or fails to match OKC’s urgency, we could be in for a close call tonight. And the Rockets don’t want any more close calls with Chris Paul and the Thunder. If Game 6 is close, with their season on the line, OKC will fighting on every possession. Houston needs to silence the Thunder’s noise, and get off to blast in Game 6. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are already patiently waiting, watching closely, as they await the winner of this series in the conference semifinals. And a Game 7 gives LA one more game to scout James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the Rockets devastative small-ball scheme. A loss by Houston in Game 6 tonight also puts this series up in the air, and swings the momentum ferociously in OKC’s way heading into a decisive Game 7. A devastating situation the Rockets want to avoid. It’s time to get the job done in Monday night’s Game 6. Houston’s exceedingly lucky to be in this situation, 48 minutes away from moving on to the next round. And they’ve proven, with their blowout dominance (without Russ), they are the better team in this series. However a slip up in Game 6 could mean problems for Houston. Because A Game 7, where anything can happen… against Chris Paul, one of the smartest players and best closers in the league, and a guy you traded another superstar for this season. For James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Houston… that’s not pretty.

Advent Health Arena:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-3):  Black

Houston Rockets (3-2):  Red

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  TNT,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Fire Past Thunder, 114-80, Clasp 3-2 Series Lead

Tale of Two Halves.    The Schrode to Nuttiness.    Closing Time.

“All right, Mr. Demille, I’m ready for my close-up,” one of the final quotes from the classic film Sunset Boulevard. The Rockets got one step closer to letting the sun set on the Thunder’s season, with a convincing 114-80 beatdown in Game 5. The 80-points is the lowest the squad’s held an oppenent this season, and the least amount of points any team’s scored in the playoffs, thus far. Russell Westbrook’s imapct on defense gets overlooked too often. The Rockets are immensley more efficent defensively with Brodie on the floor. Houston now leads the series 3-2, and is one win away from advancing to the conference semis to play the Lakers. James Harden had 31 points on an efficient 11-for-15 shooting from the field to lead Houston. Robert Covington found his shooting rhythm from deep, nailing a career-high six threes, en route to 22 points. Eric Gordon continues to struggle from distance but strayed from taking too many threes. EG continues to be aggressive driving it with ferocity to the hoop. With 20 points, Flash Gordon joined Harden and RoCo as the only other Rockets to hit the 20-point mark. Unsurprisingly, in his first game since August 11th, Russell Westbrook was rusty. Brodie finished with 7 points in only 23 minutes. Expect Russ to be more aggressive and closer to attack mode in Game 6. Houston’s going to need Westbrook’s explosiveness in a difficult closing game. Despite the final score, Game 5 wasn’t always one-sided… until the midway point.

At halftime, Houston only held a three-point lead, 48-45. But the Rockets came blazing out of the gates in the second half, starting the third quarter on a 19-3 to a seize advantage of the game. Dennis Schroder led the way for OKC with 19 points, and this game could have gone differently if the NBA’s Sixth Man didn’t go nutty. A little past the midway-point in the third quarter, Schroder decided to strike P.J. Tucker with a thunderous shot to the man-region. As the nuttiness ensued, P.J. understandably upset about the incident, gave Dennis a slight head-butt, and as a result both players were ejected from the game. A decision that came in Houston’s favor. OKC doesn’t have enough firepower to keep up with the Rockets without their best scorer in this series. Houston were already up 17 points when the game went nuts, but the Rockets grasped complete control en-route to their biggest blowout in franchise a history, a 34-point display of destruction. Which puts the squad one win from advancing to play the Lakers in the second round.

At the moment, Houston’s in control of the series. All they have to do is beat Chris Paul and this Thunder team one more. Something that’s easier said than done. The Rockets have to approach Game 6 with a Game 7 “win-or-go-home” mindset. Houston is the better team, and if they play focused should finish off the Thunder in Game 6. Game 7’s are dangerous. Anything can happen. And OKC is the best closing team in crunch time of close games in the NBA. Every close game has been won by the Thunder, while the Rockets have all had blow-out victories. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers await whoever comes out of this battle. Houston can’t take OKC lightly in Game 6. With a Thunder win in the next game, LA gets more rest and time to scout H-Town’s small-ball scheme. And Houston is pushed to the brink in a Game 7 situation where anything can happen. If the Rockets want to contend against one of the NBA’s best, they need to finish off the OKC in Game 6. After a dominant performance in Game 5… Houston’s ready to close this series up in six. 

The Return: Westbrook Back in Lineup, as Rockets Aim for Series Edge in Crucial Game 5

Don’t Lose Yourself.    MJ Saved the NBA… Again.    Russ’ Revenue.   

“Then do what you must. But don’t lost yourself. You are not a soldier. You are a king,” one of so many memorable quotes from the epic film Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away last night as 2020 continues to be the worst year ever. Boseman had colon cancer for the last 4 years of his life, and didn’t tell anyone. During this time, he represented icons from James Brown, to Jackie Robinson and the Marvel Comics character Black Panther, a film that became inspirational for so many. All these movies were filmed between multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, Boseman proved you don’t have superpowers to be a superhero. The world lost a true king last night.

After a crazy four days, where the NBA looked to be on the brink of cancelling the season, a fire that was started by the Milwaukee Bucks, when the team protested and refused to play Game 5 of their series due to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. On Wednesday night, the league’s players and coaches met for hours and discussed whether to continue the season. Reports surfaced that the Lakers and Clippers wanted to cancel the season, and with two of the NBA’s biggest contenders opting out, it looked like the season was over. But on Thursday morning, the NBA had another a meeting with the players and the owners. Michael Jordan intervened as the liaison who basically saved the season. After globalizing the sport across the planet and becoming the most iconic basketball player ever, MJ put the NBA on the map, and helped the league garner the respect the NFL and MLB always had. MJ is the only person on the planet with the power and respect of the players, and the owners. Most of these players idolized MJ, and the owners, despite their greediness, know how much he means to the game. Whatever Jordan said was impactful, and the driving force in why the NBA didn’t come to a compete end. So after Thursday morning’s meeting, the players and owners had come to a decision to finish the season. After a break the players desperately needed (it’s understandable, a lot is going on the world right now, and their isolated from the craziness, if it didn’t effect them, these players wouldn’t be human, despite looking like superheroes on the court, these guys are human beings just like you and me. And so, after MJ saved the NBA again, we’re back.

The Rockets may have been the most fortunate team to benefit from the break, because they’ve added a weapon they weren’t going to have, had the Bucks played on Wednesday: Russell Westbrook. Brodie will play his first playoff game as a Rocket tonight against the team he played his heart and soul for, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Throughout the first four games of this series, Russ has been Houston’s biggest cheerleader. Expect Westbrook to be ready to go. The Rockets just need him to control himself. There’s no doubt, Russ, in his first playoff game as a Rocket, and versus his former team, will be even more energized than usual. Westbrook has had noticeable tendencies to get out of control and force too many poor decisions and turnovers when he’s too amped up. We’ve got a tied series on our hands. Tonight’s winner gets one step from advancing, the loser.. pushed to the edge of leaving the bubble. Houston need Russ to be in control, despite what’s at stake tonight. If the Rockets can get an efficient Westbrook, they should beat the Thunder tonight, and get within a game of moving on to the next round. Brodie’s presence alone will be effective for James Harden, and take defensive pressure off of the Beard. Westbrook’s return hopefully will help Houston slow Dennis Schroder, who’s been the key component in OKC evening up this series. A lot is on the line tonight, as two heated rivals go at it for a chance to gain the upper edge and inch closer towards facing most likely the Lakers in the next round. The NBA’s back. And finally, Russell Westbrook will play his first ever playoff game as a Houston Rocket. Stay under control Russ, the squad needs you. Be aggressive, and attack the basket… but don’t lose yourself Russ, do what you must. 

 

R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman

 

HP Field House:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City (2-2):  Orange

Houston Rockets (2-2):  Black

 

TV:  5:30 PM CT – TNT, AT&T Sportsnet SW

Pressure Cooker: Rockets Clash with Thunder in Pivotal Game 5

Happy Beard Day.    Time to Get Free’d Up.    Redemption Russ?

“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”, one of the famous rants in Network, an overlooked piece of nostalgic cinema from the 1970’s. After Game 4’s frustrating loss to OKC, James Harden appeared to be taking this mantra to heart. The Bread pushed over a hand sanitizer machine as he walked back to the locker room after the embarrassing loss. Even without Westbrook, Harden and the Rockets should beat this Thunder team. However, they’ve surrendered double-digit leads in the past two games, making life much more difficult for themselves. What once looked like a probable sweep, has now turned into a “who wants it more” best-of-three series. Tonight’s winner gets one step closer to advancing, while the loser gets pushed to the brink of elimination. If Houston wants to alleviate the pressure of being in a win-or-go-home situation, the Rockets need to push the Thunder to the edge of elimination in Game 5. More drives to the rim for Houston, and stopping OKC’s bench are keys to getting off to a hot start for the Rockets.

Tonight’s pivotal momentum swinging game in this series also happens to fall on the birthday of one of the players who’ll be suiting up for action on the court. In fact, the best player on the court tonight was born today, 31 years ago. It’s the first time James Harden has played on his birthday. Houston will heavily rely on their superstar to  be at his best, on a night when the Rockets upgraded Westbrook’s status from “out” to “questionable.” The real question is… does Houston need to rush Brodie back in Game 5? Or should they let him get fully healthy for Games 6 and 7, if the Rockets fall tonight. The choice is in the hands of Russ, who will test his quad and is listed as a game-time decision. I don’t know if this is bit of a chess move by Houston, putting the idea out there that Russ is returning… maybe to motivate the Rockets, and instill a little fear in the Thunder. We all know Westbrook’s licking his chomps to get revenge against his former team. But is the time for vengeance necessary tonight? Or can the Beard, on his birthday, carry the squad back in the right direction? We’ll know in a matter of hours.

What we know now, is two aspects need to change if Houston wants to start making noise in this series, and tune the Thunder out. First, Dennis Schroder has to be a priority on defense. Schroder’s layups are starting to resemble snatching candy from a newborn. It’s just two easy for OKC’s Sixth Man of the Year, who has been the key, along with Chris Paul, to getting the Thunder back in this series. As great as he is on defense, Robert Covington is much more effective as a weak-side defender helping in a stitching scheme, like Houston often runs on defense. However, when isolated with a quick guard, RoCo puts himself in trouble, and Schroder has exposed this area of Houston’s defense. The German has to be stopped, if the Rockets want to regain the momentum in this series.

The other aspect of this series that needs to change, are free throws. In Game 4, Houston attempted a season-low 10 free throws, while the Thunder had 28 shots at the charity stripe. Along with their live-and-die by the three mantra, free throws are the Rockets bread-and-butter. Houston has to be more aggressive, and focus on driving to the basket. Regardless of how poor the officiating is, there’s no reason OKC should have 18 more free throws than Houston in a game. Nonetheless, the Rockets should get hit more and sent to the line tonight. Harden leads the league in free throws. And on his birthday, everything’s free for the Beard. Expect Harden to have a potential career-defining performance, if he can carry these Rockets within one game of advancing, without Russ, would be impressive. Hopefully the rest of the Rockets attack and defend with more hyperactivity. When OKC scores 115 points, they rarely lose. Houston held them under this mark in the first two games, and won. The Rockets let the Thunder strike past this mark in Games 3 and 4, with both games resulting in Houston losses. The defense has to sharpen up, or the Rockets are in trouble, whether Russ comes back tonight or not. Personally, I would hold him out for another game, but if he really thinks he can give it close to 100%, I’d let the decision fall in Westbrook’s hands. Time will tell. It’s told multiple times in this series, to expect the unexpected. On the Beard’s birthday, I’d let Harden give the Rockets a chance at guiding them to a win, like he did in Games 1 and 2. We’ll see what happens. Celebrating will be in the air. Harden wants a victory on his birthday more than anything, and as a result the upper hand in this series. Look for Harden to gift himself a present on his birthday. If you think the Rockets are losing tonight, you don’t know the Beard… he’s not taking this anymore.

 

HP Field House:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2):  Orange

Houston Rockets (2-2):  Black

 

TV:  5:30 PM CT –  TNT,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Stubborn Shooters: Rockets Struggle in Second Half, Collapse to Thunder 117-114, as OKC Knots Series

Prisoners of the Mindset.    Rollercoaster Variance.    Momentum Swinging in the Wind.

“Get busy living, or get busy dying,” Andy Dufresne says in The Shawshank Redemption, widely regarded as one of the best films ever made. And on Monday night, James Harden and the Rockets got busy all right. Houston started out Game 4 on fire from beyond the arc, and despite being tied 60-60 at halftime, you still had the feeling they had this game in the bag. This contest didn’t look bleak from the the opening tip. The tale of Game 4 came in the third quarter, when the Rockets came blazing out of the break, draining their first 8 attempts from deep to grab a 15-point lead. Everything was going according to plan, but then came the sudden switch. As Houston was on fire from distance, all of of a sudden, the shots stopped splashing. And to no surprise, the squad just kept launching from distance, helpless prisoners of their own mindset. The stubborn Rockets stuck to their “3 is better than 2” plan, despite their ability to get to the rim at will, which was on full display in the first half. And yet another Rocket Launchfest turned into a sloppy Brick City. As a result, Chris Paul and the Thunder rallied for a 117-114 victory over the Rockets. CP3 had 26 points and helped lead the comeback, but it was Dennis Schroder who once again keyed the Thunder victory. Houston couldn’t stop Schroder from getting to the basket if their entire families were at stake. The NBA’s leading scorer finished with 30 points off the bench, and got the to rim at relative ease whenever he pleased, making Houston’s stingy defense in Games 1 and 2 look like a thing of years past. The Beard had 32 points and 15 dimes in the loss to lead a balanced Rockets attack. But Houston fell short as they got outplayed once again in the clutch by CP3 and OKC. So far in this series, the Rockets have won big, but lost the close games. The Thunder, known for being the best clutch team in basketball, closed out Houston again, and proved that the Rockets need better late-game execution if they’re going to advance past OKC.

Game 4 was Houston Heartbreak Part Two. And this one stung way more than the previous game. Why? On Monday night, the Rockets lost for only the second time all season when shooting 37% or better from three-point land. Even if they jack up 60 threes a night, if the shots are falling… Houston wins this type of game at least 90% of the time. The problem with Game 4 was the Rockets started out so hot from distance, especially during that ever-so-promising beginning to the third quarter, when Houston hit 8 straight from deep. This early success entering both halves morphed into one of those “launch for an NBA-Record 3-Point Field Goal Attempt” nights, which happen to often, where the Rockets refuse to deter from the idea. It’s Houston’s Achilles’ heel.  Everyone knows Houston’s game plan. Either shoot from three, or drive the ball to the rack for free throws, a layup, or the open man. But if the shots aren’t falling and the splashes become a drought, the Rockets need to switch up their game-plan. Houston showed they could get to the rim early in Game 4, with James Harden and Eric Gordon having exceptional first halves driving the ball to the hoop. Danuel House Jr. and Jeff Green got in on the action as well, but these trigger happy Rockets stayed outside after that stretch of 8 straight threes to start the third quarter. And it eventually led to their doom in Game 3.

It’s crazy how dramatically different Game 4 has been compared to Game 1 in this series. Each game has its own identity. If there was one game Houston needed Russell Westbrook in this series, it was Game 4. Russ is not a heavy volume three-point shooter, regardless of how the team’s shooting overall from deep. Brodie helps the Rockets defer from their rollercoaster variance, as Westbrook’s drives are contagious. If they don’t result in layups, they’re often open looks for teammates from deep. Which the Rockets had in this game. However with Westbrook against the Thunder, Brodie’s former team, there’s little doubt Russ would’ve come out with his usual infectious energy and made a huge difference. Not just on the game, but specifically on the Beard. Westbrook’s presence calms the Beard, and alleviates defensive pressure from Harden because Russ is such a threat. And Westbrook has proven to be better finishing games than the Beard this season. Everyone knew Westbrook’s absence was going to impact this series, and now it’s definitely being seen. But after the first two games, it didn’t necessarily appear that way. Houston won Games 1 and 2 easily in double-digits without Russ. On the “road”, Games 3 and 4 have been heartbreaking losses for the Rockets. Houston now finds themselves in a bloodbath, best-of-three series, where Russ will be out for at least Game 5. And Game 4’s second-half drought that led us to this point, an even series between two heated opponents and former teammates, also has added momentum swinging in the wind, toward OKC’s favor. The “experts” expected this series to be close, but not in this way. Ask the analysts if they had the Rockets winning the first two, then dropping the next two in heartbreaking fashion. I doubt anyone saw this coming. Then again, if you know Houston sports, you’re familiar with heartbreak. I wouldn’t be surprised if this momentum swinging in the wind carries on to lead the Thunder to a Game 5 victory. It’s a pivotal game in the series, and era’s and legacies hang in the balance. I firmly believe Game 5’s winner will now win the series. If Houston can halt OKC’s momentum from the past two games, and play smarter, they should carry enough momentum to taste eliminating the Thunder in Game 6. However, if OKC wins Game 5, that’s three in a wins in a row. And it puts a lot of pressure on a Rockets team that already has questions facing them this offseason with rumors of Coach Mike D’Antoni’s ousting regardless of Houston’s success in these playoffs. Sounds a little familiar? Michael Jordan’s famously documented “The Last Dance”, which aired on ESPN earlier this summer, had the Bulls’ coach Phil Jackson,  staring at a similar fate. Westbrook is listed as day-to-day, and could come back for Game 6. But we won’t know until Friday. Harden, who happens to turn 31 on the day of Game 5, will need a Jordanesque performance, and help from his teammates, or the Rockets will be staring elimination in the face.

Don’t expect Houston to shoot any less from deep, or change the way they play. They simply need to alter their prisoner mindset. Become cohesively aware of the situation at hand. A three is better than a two, but if it’s not going in, a higher amount of layups bests a few threes any night. Even without Westbrook, the Rockets still have more explosiveness than the Thunder. Houston was a Danuel House Jr. free throw away from winning Game 3, and basically gave Game 4 to OKC. The Rockets should still win this series, but they need to have their collective mindset focused on attacking the basket in Game 5. Quit settling for deep shots, especially bad ones. Some deep shots are great looks, others just aren’t. See the floor. Be aware of the game situation. Better options are always available. Houston displayed this, with their best offensive display of the entire season, four minutes into Game 4 with a perfectly executed play. Precise and heady ball movement let everyone touch the ball, and EG got a layup at the end of the shot clock. The Rockets had multiple chances to take threes on that possession, but instead hesitated, and chose to make a better play. Houston just needs to play smarter. Smarter is better for these Rockets. Yes, it’s that simple. But if they can’t recognize the situation at hand, in this series and during Game 5, Houston’s in trouble. CP3’s one of the smartest players in NBA history, and has his Thunder on the verge of pulling a stunner. A Houston loss and the Rockets season hangs in the balance. Harden and company need to get busy making the right choices each possession. Shoot themselves out of their misery, or decide to make the best decision on each play. A lot is on the line in Game 5. No one expected the Rockets to lose three games in a row, after winning the first two without Westbrook. One thing you can expect in Game 5 is a special game from Harden. The Beard’s birthday always fell in the offseason, but due to the pandemic and suspension of play, Houston’s other superstar gets a chance to play on his birthday, for the first time. The biggest game of James Harden’s life. Expect The Beard to get busy on Wednesday night, as we celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest to ever play the game. In a matchup that’ll decide which team’s closer to getting busy living or dying, the Rockets have the coldest killer in the game. No time to be anxious, let’s step back and dance. Mr. Harden… it’s time to get busy.

Rockets Attempt to Regain Control of Series Versus Thunder in Game 4

Next Man Up.    Solving Dort.    No Time for Games.

“Well nobody’s perfect.” A quote from Hollwyood’s Sunshine Boulevard, and a reminder that the Rockets were never going to sweep the Thunder. Not without Russell Westbrook. And they’ll be without Brodie again tonight, as James Harden and the Rockets try to bounce back from a poor shooting night against Chris Paul and the Thunder in Game 4 of their first round matchup. Houston leads the series 2-1, but OKC has the momentum. The Thunder outscored the Rockets 15-3 in the overtime of their Game 3 victory. James Harden fouled out late in Game 3, and once that happened, Chris Paul took over for OKC, and the rest was history. Houston didn’t stand a chance with Eric Gordon shooting them out of the game with ill-advised shot attempts and poor decision making.

Luguentz Dort proved he’s the real deal on defense in Game 3. Or was it just a game? Harden still scored 38 points, but Dort showed to be a true challenger on the defensive end for the Beard. Still, Harden’s experience and drive should push the Beard and the Rockets past Dort and the Thunder in Game 4. Coach Mike D’Antoni needs to choose smarter in-game lineups to use. There’s no reason Robert Covington should be on the bench at the end of a close game.

As this series now stands at 2-1, the Rockets have no time for games. The Thunder demonstrated why they’re the best crunch-time team in the league. Houston has to buckle down, get off to a hot start, and get the victory in Game 4. If this series becomes tied, all the pressure shifts to the Rockets, and they don’t know when Russ is coming back. There’s no time for games. It’s time to strap in and get ready for liftoff. This time… hopefully the Rockets are a little bit closer to perfect.

 

AdventHealthn Arena:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (2-1):  Black

Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2):  White

 

TV:  3PM CT – TNT,  AT&T Sportsnet SW