2/9 - [GAME #54] Rockets (27-26) @ Warriors (46-4) 10:30 EST
Posted: Tue Feb 9, 2016 4:45 pm
1. The Rockets after having a few days off will come out lazy and lackadaisical, probably still recovering from the partying done over Superbowl weekend.
2. Haren will improve on last year’s G5 performance with only 8 TOV’s tonight.
3. Rockets will make a run, cutting it to 12, when Bogut gets under Dwight’s skin and picks up his 2nd technical of the game, getting ejected once again.
4. Because the Rockets will try to overcompensate being down so much, expect a ton of Haren iso, Ariza no conscious in transition 3 pt attempts, Brewer being Brewer (see #6), Lawson being timid, TJones getting blocked or missing a layup, Beverley unsuccessful floaters, and Josh Smith heat check 3’s even though he’s 0-4.
5. Bickerstaff will insist on starting out and continuing to playing small ball, only against the best small ball team in the NBA. And he will go back to that lineup, benching Thornton or whoever is playing well in favor of Brewer.
6. Warriors bench will blow open the game even moreso. We won’t have anyone to match up with Livingston, Bickerstaff will put Lawson on him before he adjusts…this is only after Livingston will score 4-5 buckets in a row in the post. Iggy will hit a few wide open corner 3’s and get some points in transition. And with no Ezeli, expect a big game from Mo’ buckets.
7. Curry will explode for a 20+ first quarter, which will bring into question; would he do that anyway against the Rockets defense? Or is there extra added motivation because of the Panthers losing?
8. Brewer will have at least 4 TOV’s trying to go 1v4 on a fastbreak and miss 4+ threes.
9. Beverley will be motivated to defend Curry, and as Beverley usually does, he’ll try to play closely and physical with him, where he picks up quick fouls and is rendered useless with a simple pick.
10. Expect the Warriors to dominate the rebounding advantage because the Rockets are caught cherry picking or napping and Dwight overhelping out to the perimeter.
11. Speaking of napping, expect the Rockets to fall into the same ol’ ball watching no discipline habits, which gives up wide open perimeter shots and backdoor cuts.
12. The Warriors will break the NBA record for most fast break points in a game today. I don’t know what that number is, but whatever it is…it will be broken tonight.
13. With Kevin McHale in TNT studio today, expect him to say the Rockets need to play harder. Oh and also expect the usual Dwight ripping from the main cast, Shaq saying he needs 28/15, and how he needs to post up. They’ll have the same discussion whether Dwight is capable of this – though it’ll be interesting to see what McHale says. Barkley will ask the question “Who is the Rockets leader?” to which Kenny will chuckle and say “No one.” And Barkley will say, “That’s right, nobody likes to play with Haren.” And Klay is the best SG in the NBA, or Jimmy Butler, then Dwyane Wade, or Demar Derozan or CJ McCollum. They will say McHale was our leader last season.
14. The Warriors starters will be done in this game before the end of the 3rd quarter.
15. The Rockets must continue the trend of falling back to .500, winning a few games, and falling back down. Rinse. Repeat. This team is what it is.
I’m excited.
2. Haren will improve on last year’s G5 performance with only 8 TOV’s tonight.
3. Rockets will make a run, cutting it to 12, when Bogut gets under Dwight’s skin and picks up his 2nd technical of the game, getting ejected once again.
4. Because the Rockets will try to overcompensate being down so much, expect a ton of Haren iso, Ariza no conscious in transition 3 pt attempts, Brewer being Brewer (see #6), Lawson being timid, TJones getting blocked or missing a layup, Beverley unsuccessful floaters, and Josh Smith heat check 3’s even though he’s 0-4.
5. Bickerstaff will insist on starting out and continuing to playing small ball, only against the best small ball team in the NBA. And he will go back to that lineup, benching Thornton or whoever is playing well in favor of Brewer.
6. Warriors bench will blow open the game even moreso. We won’t have anyone to match up with Livingston, Bickerstaff will put Lawson on him before he adjusts…this is only after Livingston will score 4-5 buckets in a row in the post. Iggy will hit a few wide open corner 3’s and get some points in transition. And with no Ezeli, expect a big game from Mo’ buckets.
7. Curry will explode for a 20+ first quarter, which will bring into question; would he do that anyway against the Rockets defense? Or is there extra added motivation because of the Panthers losing?
8. Brewer will have at least 4 TOV’s trying to go 1v4 on a fastbreak and miss 4+ threes.
9. Beverley will be motivated to defend Curry, and as Beverley usually does, he’ll try to play closely and physical with him, where he picks up quick fouls and is rendered useless with a simple pick.
10. Expect the Warriors to dominate the rebounding advantage because the Rockets are caught cherry picking or napping and Dwight overhelping out to the perimeter.
11. Speaking of napping, expect the Rockets to fall into the same ol’ ball watching no discipline habits, which gives up wide open perimeter shots and backdoor cuts.
12. The Warriors will break the NBA record for most fast break points in a game today. I don’t know what that number is, but whatever it is…it will be broken tonight.
13. With Kevin McHale in TNT studio today, expect him to say the Rockets need to play harder. Oh and also expect the usual Dwight ripping from the main cast, Shaq saying he needs 28/15, and how he needs to post up. They’ll have the same discussion whether Dwight is capable of this – though it’ll be interesting to see what McHale says. Barkley will ask the question “Who is the Rockets leader?” to which Kenny will chuckle and say “No one.” And Barkley will say, “That’s right, nobody likes to play with Haren.” And Klay is the best SG in the NBA, or Jimmy Butler, then Dwyane Wade, or Demar Derozan or CJ McCollum. They will say McHale was our leader last season.
14. The Warriors starters will be done in this game before the end of the 3rd quarter.
15. The Rockets must continue the trend of falling back to .500, winning a few games, and falling back down. Rinse. Repeat. This team is what it is.
I’m excited.
