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NBA Game Review: Rockets Bank Ends Breaking Series Against Blazers
12.12.2018 04:28
After three defeats in a row, the Houston Rockets (12-14) have won again. Against the Portland Trail Blazers (15-12) it was above all the bank of the hosts, which against Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Co. made the difference. The Rockets won thanks to a strong second half at the end with 111: 104.
After three consecutive defeats, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni responded by making a change in his starting five. Eric Gordon slipped into the team for James Ennis as the Oregon guests relied on the familiar staff. Portland started a little drowsily, but made the better impression in the first minutes, because Damian Lillard and also C.J. McCollum (together 20 points in the first quarter) had quickly found their touch, a 19:10 lead for the guests in the middle of the quarter was the result.
By contrast, the Rockets looked just as bad as in previous weeks. James Harden struggled with his throw, defensive on his own board was not packed and also otherwise the Blazers came too often too close to the basket. In the meantime, the gap grew to 15 points, but the reservists Portland did not succeed. Thanks to a 15-2 run, the Rockets were back on two points after 12 minutes (27:29).
Especially Danuel House and Gerald Green brought the Rockets important relief and so Houston had turned the game, although Harden and CP3 (together 3/12 FG) until then did not succeed. But now thawed Gordon with some drives on, otherwise dominated now on both sides of the defensive, points were now fiercely contested. An And-One from Jusuf Nurkic, a real Hustle Play, was the final half of the first half, with the Blazers taking a 54-51 lead into the cabin.
James Harden turns up after the break:
Even after the break, the trend continued. It developed a balanced game in which now the stars were in the foreground. McCollum and Lillard repeatedly scored against the Rockets-Bigs, on the other hand took over more and more of the MVP. The booked 15 counter in the section and gave himself a nice shootout with lady who caught fire at the same time. Nevertheless, the Rockets had now upper water, because again the reservists with a lot of passion attracted the audience on their side (84:81).
The Rockets also put in a 7-0 run, the highest Houston lead of the evening was perfect. And at this rate it went on. Paul served Clint Capela on praise, Danuel House put down the drive, the Blazers needed a break after this 20: 3 run (95:81). But Portland had not yet beaten, the Guard duo brought the Blazers back on 7 counter, also fouled Capela prematurely. However, the guests could not get closer than five points, the Rockets Pleiten series was over.
Top scorer of the Rockets course was Harden, who posted 19 of his 29 counters (10/21 FG) after the change. CP3 (11, 2/10 FG, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) had little luck with his throw, but he was always good at second unit. There produced mainly House (12) and Green (13), while Isiaiah Hartenstein was not used. For Portland scored only Lillard (34, 12/25 FG), McCollum (22, 10/21 FG), Nurkic (15, 10 rebounds) and Aminu (10, 15 boards) double digits.
The most important statistics
Houston Rockets (12-14) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (15-12) 111: 104 (BOXSCORE)
Rebounding has been one of Rocket's biggest problems in the past few games, and this trend continued for Portland. In the first half alone, the Blazers collected 9 offensive rebounds, a brutal 42 percent of all available boards. In the first quarter alone, the Blazers had already scored 8 Second Chance Points. Houston made it much better after that, with just four more offensive rebounds for Portland.
This advantage, however, the guests made up for by some very unnecessary turnovers. It would also have been good and happy to be more than just 7 TO after 24 minutes. In the end it was 15, the Rockets, however, were just 8.
Somewhat surprising was that it was the bank that brought the Rockets back into the game. Led by CP3, House, Ennis, Gerald Green and Nene excelled. At break this quartet had already scored 19 points, the Rockets managed this season often not even in a complete game. After 48 minutes it was 37 (POR: 13).
Portland is one of the teams that consistently deliver the three-way line and sometimes accept light points on the ring, which was no different this evening. The Rockets only took 29 threes, as few as ever this season. But the hosts also achieved a lot of counters in the zone, namely whopping 64, while Portland only came to 46.
0 attempts from the free throw line after 24 minutes, that is rare with Harden, but Portland succeeded this feat actually. Only after the change, the MVP could pull a few shooting fouls (7 attempts). In general, the Rockets could pull much better fouls after the break, just in the fourth quarter, the Rockets marched repeatedly to the line for light points.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: The voices to the game
Mike D'Antoni (Head Coach Rockets) on Nene: "Today we finally saw old Nene again and I do not mean his age."
Terry Stotts (Head Coach Blazers): "Your bank made the difference today, it's that simple."
The star of the game:
The Bank of the Rockets. It would be unfair to pick a single actor from Houston's bank, as Ennis, Nene, Green and House were too closed. For weeks, the lack of production of the Second Unit was bitching, this time proving the opposite. Green nailed some threes, House attacked fearlessly and Nene played strong defense. These were all the factors that ultimately put the Rockets on the road to victory.
The flop of the game:
Evan Turner. As leader of the bank ET remained almost completely colorless, above all he radiated little danger for the opposing basket. So the Blazers offense looked absolutely terrible in the stages with him in the field. So it was little wonder that the forward also had the worst plus minus of all players on the field (-17).
Coaching Move the game:
The Rockets tried especially at the beginning to trap the dreaded Pick'n'Roll between Lillard and Nurkic, the Bosnians should be forced as Roll Man to make decisions. But the center did a good job and found the free shooters in the corners several times. That's why the Rockets adjusted their scheme a little and tried to defend Lillard more conservative in the episode. The (as well as McCollum) could work against the bigs of the Rockets after the switch but again and again good litters and punished this consistently. However, Lillard hardly tied in his teammates (only 2 assists) and so his breathers made extremely noticeable. As the lady took a seat on the bench, the Rockets decided the game.
