GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32)

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GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#1 » by Nolan » Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:59 pm

When: 1:30 PM MT, April 1st 2018
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio TX

Not expecting a win in this one but yous all know how Sunday afternoon games go sometimes, the effort level isn't always there. Hopefully we can steal one hold onto to that 4th spot.

Go Spurs!!
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#2 » by ducler » Sun Apr 1, 2018 6:40 pm

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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#3 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 7:35 pm

Game time! Lets do this!
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#4 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 8:08 pm

Excellent first quarter. Defense has been outstanding and Murray has been killing it.

Loving the effort plays so far. LMA just straight up out muscled two Rockets for a rebound and that last sequence with Rudy was awesome. Great work lets keep it up.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#5 » by G R E Y » Sun Apr 1, 2018 8:21 pm

Same starting group as previous game, I believe.

As for who is not on the roster, it's still "... and then there was one."

Forty-eight minutes of all out on both ends.

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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#6 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 8:39 pm

Harden looks hungover.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#7 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 8:41 pm

Rockets came to life a bit in that second quarter but we kept together and had a nice little run late in the quarter to build that lead back up.

Need to tighten up the defense a bit, couple slow rotations in that quarter gave the Rockets some easy drives to the rim. But overall solid effort. If we keep this up and keep Harden under wraps we can pull this one off.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#8 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 9:15 pm

LMA just loves those corner fadeaways when the 2nd defender comes at him.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#9 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 9:17 pm

Houston has zero rim protection when Capela's out of the game and we've been exploiting that big time. Our spacing has been on point this afternoon.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#10 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 9:25 pm

Another solid quarter. LMA is doing work today.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#11 » by Nolan » Sun Apr 1, 2018 9:40 pm

Damn...
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#12 » by G R E Y » Sun Apr 1, 2018 11:30 pm

Nolan wrote:Damn...

Damn right!
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#13 » by imagump1313 » Mon Apr 2, 2018 1:49 am

Great to get the win but I'm going to remain reserved. Houston didn't need that game, we did and it showed.
Houston isn't going to score only 88 points very often. We match up pretty well with them without Paul because they tend to fall back into how they played last year. 4 guys standing around watching Harden. If Paul was playing I don't think Harden struggles as much as he did.
Nolan is right about Capela though. He is the key for them, against us anyway. If he is not on the floor we can hang around.
Great game from Rudy Gay BTW.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#14 » by Nolan » Mon Apr 2, 2018 1:34 pm

imagump1313 wrote:Great to get the win but I'm going to remain reserved. Houston didn't need that game, we did and it showed.
Houston isn't going to score only 88 points very often. We match up pretty well with them without Paul because they tend to fall back into how they played last year. 4 guys standing around watching Harden. If Paul was playing I don't think Harden struggles as much as he did.
Nolan is right about Capela though. He is the key for them, against us anyway. If he is not on the floor we can hang around.
Great game from Rudy Gay BTW.


Houston didn't bring their A game, but we did and we got a much needed win.

If we meet in the playoffs (2nd round potentially) the game plan has to be force the ball into Harden's hands and make him win it. We have to shut down Paul (like you said) and pull Capela away from the rim. We have to kill their movement.
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Re: GT: Rockets (62-14) vs. Spurs (44-32) 

Post#15 » by G R E Y » Tue Apr 3, 2018 7:40 am

Such a crucial win for us. It was really satisfying to see us step up team-wide and deliver in a big game, even if they didn't have their full roster available - neither did we.

The strange thing about this game without Paul is that though CP brings a dynamic to their game, the second time we played the Rockets they had JH and CP and put up forty-two 3s, forty-two - a little more than half of their 83 shots, and 44 of 80FGs were from the 3 in the previous game. I don't mind the development of the 3, but as a fan of the game, that's just ridiculous and boring, like watching a bad circus routine. I'm not sure how well the star-ISO, 3-heavy strategy will work in the playoffs.

We had it going on on both ends more consistently than we have for a while, first minute to last. In a post-game interview, Pop called Kyle the star of the game, and he did do a great job staying at Harden's hip as James drove, and was crafty in those quick pokes from behind. One towards the end of the game led to what will probably go down as the season's slowest layup, bested perhaps by Kyle's Euro-step earlier. People are amused by his slow pace, but it's so effective in deking out opponents. Although he only scored 5 points, he led the team with 5 assists and a strong defensive presence.

Murray (13 points, 6 rebounds) followed up what Pop called his best game as a pro in the previous game with an assertive start in this one, dictating pace and setting the tone by driving right at Harden and Gordon and using his body to protect the ball. Murray's game has grown noticeably in a short time. His shot used to be too 'live' early in the season, but he's developed a better, softer touch with his J and floater, both of which are going in at a better rate, even if he needs to be more consistent. He's great on the boards and is garnering praise about his defensive instincts and overall hustle. His game management and decision making in finding the open player are better, too. I love those teachable moments between him and Pop on the sidelines when opponents shoot FTs; he takes it all in and uses it to good effect.

Rudy J scored a bench-high 21 points, but he is not just about scoring anymore. He's looked far more comfortable and assertive on O, but his D stands out for me because it's an area of his game that has improved (3 rebounds, 2 steals and a block). He doesn't give up on rebounds, get blocks, has good awareness about when to help, when to sneak up and poke the ball Kyle-style. One such deflection lead to a Manu pass for a dunk. It was one of many D to O transition moments for us which we created more of thanks to our 8 steals and 8 blocks.

Speaking of fast breaks, can we please just execute them all the way to the basket rather than finding a trailer at the arc? We don't need a 3 all the time. Better to reward our great play on D with the higher percentage opportunity.

Patty (14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) was a culprit passer on a couple of those, but he was instrumental in clutch 3s (3-6, including a step back that he's using now) and persevered through getting crushed on moving screens. He, LMA and Bryn also had to defend Harden, and all were conscientious about quick feet and hands straight up. Can't even let your shadow touch that guy lol

Tony, Manu, and Pau combined for 12 points on 4-7FGs, but Tony and Manu got 7 assists between them and Pau grabbed 8 rebounds. Vet presence always resonates beyond the numbers, though. When older guys hustle and execute or struggle on one end and still contribute on the other, it sparks the team.

Overall, our movement on D and O was quick and decisive, our rebounding was tenacious, and our O options were more varied. We did really well staying with them on drives, cutting off lanes, and forcing them into secondary O options because we got to opponents - especially on the arc - at least at the same time if not before the ball did.

Their doubling of LMA early and often was countered by our quick and deliberate ball movement. Our decisions about whether to shoot or pass were noticeably faster, so we didn't give them as much time to set up. LMA still led us in scoring with 23 and 14 rebounds, but we had 5 players in double figures who scored in a variety of shots created, including 19 fast break points. I love that we are using the glass a lot more; far fewer missed bunnies like earlier in the year. I'm not loving our recent FT woes, 14-21 in this game.

It was great that we had only 8 turnovers and were the ones forcing mistakes late in the game. Feels like we are rounding into good, cohesive form at just the right time, but the litmus test is to keep it going for the final five games of the regular season and reward ourselves with an optimal post-season berth. I love our team.

GO SPURS GO!
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