Rockets have looked completely locked in the first 2 games. Game 3 will show how truly locked in we are but man this is best we have looked during the James Harden era of rockets basketball
I seriously thought the Jazz would have given us a better fight. The end score is deceiving. Today was hardly competitive. Game 3. Take their best punch, fight back, beat them at their place.
The Jazz were really sloppy with the ball early on and missed a lot of open looks. So I expect a much closer Game 3. But if the Rockets stay locked in on defense the way they've been so far this series, they have a great shot at winning on Saturday.
I expect a major defensive adjustment from the Jazz in game 3. If I was them, I’d start Royce O’neale and have him defend Harden straight up. Rubio and Mitchell can defend Paul and Gordon.
last year they blew right threw the pressure of Home Court Home Team. We shall see if this year is any different.
It's hard to believe they'll continue to miss as much as they did in Game 2, but we have to focus on the defensive pressure and protecting the ball. We gave up too many open 3s and had too many turnovers. Control those and I think we come out with the W.
Jazz are only in it, if the refs get paid handsomely by the NBA. Hungry Rockets against a puzzled Jazz team, we may give them a game, but come on NEXT. Game 3 ain't a trap game, it maybe a game where we may get distorted by outside forces. In the end, I see another wipeout for Gm 3. Color me RED!
O'Neale has played really well for them this series. He's doing what Burks did last year. But Ingles has been a non-factor and Mitchell has played poorly. If the Rockets keep those two in check, Utah has no chance.
Carl Herrera and the "doom and gloom" brigade are alive and well on CFs. So called fan can't even relish a blow out victory at home. Was the game even over when he posted this?! Ignore or not to ignore. That is the question.
The only way to contain Harden is to put a strong, physical defender on him. It’s obvious that O’neale is their best defensive matchup against him, so it would make little sense to me to keep him coming off the bench. Of course, it means benching one of their current starters. Probably should be Favors, though I think he’s also generally played well this series.
Favors has had a very good series too. But he seems to excel when Gobert isn't in there. So if they bench Favors and only play him when Gobert sits, that could help the Jazz. The problem with starting O'Neale is that it weakens their bench.
they'll play much better in game 3. silver will probably up his game as well. but i expect CP3 to have one of his best performances of the season.
They should probably bench Rubio over Favors. He has no idea how to properly defend Harden and brings zero outside shooting, where O'Neale would definitely give them a boost in. Plus the Jazz are much better when Mitchell is the primary ballhandler and is making plays for himself as well as others. Rubio on the court relegates him to a spot up shooter or last second shot clock beater.
Trap games are sneaky...this isn't sneaky. The Rockets know Utah is a tough place to play. This is a veteran team. If they get beat in Salt Lake City, it won't be because they were overlooking a playoff opponent on the road.
