Tonite's Spurs/Rockets is interesting on so many levels and in capping the game, a lot sticks out. I'm not sure who covers this game yet but I'm leaning towards this series being extended to a game 7. Spurs got extremely lucky last game. Kawhi sits out the last 3 minutes plus OT and Harden back tracks to his old self where it's him with the ball and everybody watching. It actually reminded me of westbrook this year in a lot of games. It was a bit surprising considering Harden can get to the charity stripe whenever he wants. Also, if Im him, my motivation is at an all time high knowing with the game on the line a 39 YEARD OLD JUST BLOCKED MY SHOT AT THE BUZZER! So tonite, in Houston, many will feel that if/when kawhi gets the nod, considering he sat out and the spurs still won, no way spurs don't cover or even win, right? Popovich in a close out game? Money in the bank especially after losing 3 straight last year to OKC? Not so fast!
Spurs a chance to close out, kawhi playing.....Spurs should be the play......No? It seems waaaaaay too simple. In listening to Harden and dantoni talk in the post games, you saw a sense of calmness and an expectation that they'd take care of business game 6 and even take care of business game 7. Everybody expects the spurs to take this series now but if you watch this series, the spurs have needed EVERYBODY. A 39 year old, a surprise bench player, Simmons who all the sudden is a very good piece, a back up to a backup in point guards stepping up....I want the spurs to advance but in my eyes, the rockets are the better team. I truly believe that this year. They have more basket makers when the game is on the line but better yet, these basket makers can either create shots or come off screens making shots.
I look at this series now and I look for liabilities. A few stick out in a big way. If the Rockets continue to go small which I think they will, gasol and Aldridge off the pick and roll need to be exposed by the rockets. They have to! If Anderson can continue to hit some shots like he has of late for the rockets, watch out. Also, if Harden doesn't get to the line more than 12-14 times tonite, that's a big problem. So Aldridge and gasol on the pick roll and the idea that the spurs don't have a great point guard needs to be exposed tonite as well. Beverley is a huge piece to Houston's success as is Gordon so those two need to do more on the offensive side of the ball. Mills is not a defender nor is the backup of a backup the spurs are using. I speak of the spurs weaknesses here because Houston needs the win and for me it's as simple as exposing these and Rockets extend the series. For me, it's rockets cover or nothing tonite. I firmly feel if the spurs win this series, dubs don't have any problems with them. San Antonio is old and if they get out of this series with no parker, an old ginobili, a banged up kawhi and bigs who are one dimensional in gasol and Aldridge considering they would be an even bigger liability against the dubs, not to mention they would have played 12 games in two series at their age, I see it maybe going 5. Rockets are a better matchup for the books and the league and with their similar brands of basketball, at least the Rockets would make it entertaining.
Last thing is this: remember the stat I told you to keep in mind: tied at 2, the winner of game 5, wins the series 84% of the time. Before the game and during the game watch and listen to how many times this is referred to. Also, il sure they will talk about pop in games where his team can clinch. I'm not sure of the record but I'm betting it's pretty darn good. Listen if spurs win this series, it would not surprise me bit ask yourself this: how many people do you think believe the rockets actually win this series? I bet not many at this point. Be careful. If rockets win tonite, they win game 7. Do they cover tonite? I lean yes but I could go the other way. Lots of time until tip.
SORRY FOR THE DICTATION; COFFEE JUST KICKED IN
sir !
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