Rockets Fall to Sixers, 134-96, in Seeding Finale
The Apathetic Invitational. Give Me Green and 37. Final Tune-Up.
The Rockets played the Sixers for the last time in civilization’s worst year ever. Entering the final seeding game, both teams had their respective first-round matchups locked up. So if we’re being honest, Friday night’s blowout was an exhibition of sorts… The Apathetic Invitational. James Harden still looked good, keeping Houston somewhat competitive in the first half. He was pretty much the only Rocket playing to win, as the Beard’s in a groove prepping for the biggest playoff series in his storied career. A matchup against his, and Russell Westbrook… and Jeff Green… and (if we’re talking about outside the Bubble) Thabo Sefolosha’s former team… the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oh, and they all happened to play together for OKC at one point too, years ago. But we’ll touch on that in the coming days. On Friday night, all the veterans were saving their legs, prepping for the upcoming series against OKC. Houston kept it somewhat competitive in the first half, until the Rockets got blown out 134-96, to close the book on the craziest regular season in NBA history. This one went as expected, with the result having no impact on either team’s future. Although without Ben Simmons, Philly’s version of Westbrook, the chances the Rockets and Sixers meet in the Finals, is very slim.
The newest Houston veteran, who continues to fit seamlessly, Jeff Green, played impressive once again, scoring 17 points. The veteran has earned more playing time, especially considering he’s one of the tallest guys on the NBA’s Small-Ball Squad. With Westbrook bound to miss several games, Jeff Green is going to see a lot of action starting off in the playoffs against a Thunder group with a major size advantage. Matt Bullard said it on the telecast on Friday night. Houston’s magic number is 37. Why? Well, the Rockets obsessively launch more threes than any team in the league. It’s the way they play. And when they knock down at least 37% of those shots from distance, Houston is 24-1. When the Rockets shoot below 36% from deep, the squad is 20-27, including Friday night’s exhibition-style blowout. That phrase, “live and die by the three,” couldn’t be more accurate with Houston. When Harden and the Rockets are knocking down their threes (and healthy) they’re virtually unbeatable. But when they can’t hit anything from deep, they stick to the game-plan, keep launching, and more often than not… lose those games. Another reason why Russell Westbrook is so important to this Rockets small-ball squad. Brodie’s relentless ability to get to the rim at will creates open shots for Houston gunslingers from long range. However, his absence leaves a gaping hole. Without Russ, Harden draws more attention from the defense, and it’s harder for Houston to find open threes. Bottom line: the Rockets need to be knocking down their perimeter shots if they want a chance at the ultimate goal.
Let the real games begin. You won’t see games like Friday’s in the playoffs (hopefully). Friday night was just a final tune-up, before Houston embarks on a playoff journey that could define legacies. It’s about to get very, very, competitive, intense, and testy. Especially in these playoffs, after the year these teams went through, one unlike any other and that will never be seen again. And most notably, things are about to get real, real, real heated in this Rockets-Thunder series. Houston traded OKC’s Chris Paul to get Russ, because Westbrook was more durable and Paul always injury prone. Only now, it’s the other way around, with Brodie out, and CP3 licking his chops as he can’t wait to get revenge on the Rockets, who he, well, doesn’t care for Houston too much anymore. We’ll just keep it that. You all know the story. If you didn’t, we’ll touch on that later. It didn’t end well. And if it’s gonna finish bright this time for the Rockets.. if Houston can somehow manage to turn the worst year, 2020, into the best season, and make it out of the ruthless Western Conference… their opponent out East won’t be the Sixers.