A sloppy game in Oklahoma City led to a surprising Rockets win. This happened, despite the Thunder playing much better than them for most of the game. The Thunder shot about 6% better from the field, 5% better from three-point range, had 12 more blocks, and three fewer turnovers!
It all started again in the first half. Going at Ryan Anderson with Taj Gibson. Getting one foul on him immediately. Using Taj as a tool to try to get Ryan out of the game appeared to be a smart strategy. Look for them to do this more often. Baiting Ryno into fouls down low is an easy task for Taj.
The Rockets also started the game out of sorts. Being able to stop nothing as Westbrook let his teammates play basketball. Solely steering the ship instead of trying to be the motor, move the sails, and serve the hors d’oeuvres as well.
The Thunder’s dominance in the first is becoming an ugly pattern for the Rockets. In 4 playoff games, the Thunder are 48/89 (53.9%) from the field and a +24 in that quarter, blistering starts. If the Rockets want a chance to make a run in the playoffs they can not keep allowing their opponents to jump on top of them.
The entire Thunder roster was seemingly outhustling the Rockets. James Harden was the center of the apparent apathy, with André Roberson completely shutting him down n in the first half. Going 2-10 from the field and having only 2 free throw attempts was a huge win for OKC.
Luckily, Nene brought some much-needed muscle to the Rockets. Outplaying any big man the Thunder threw out there. He was effective not only defensively but offensively with his moves down low off Harden pick and roll passes. He finished the game 12/12 and was crucial for the Rockets comeback.
Another player who continues to show up for the Rockets is Lou Williams. A career 36% from the field in the playoffs before coming to Houston, he is shooting a scorching 47% and 43.7% from three point range.
Nene, Willilams, and the Thunder’s strategy early on to foul the Rockets about every other play kept Houston in it just enough for it to be a close game in the closing minutes.
Those minutes proved most chaotic. The Rockets electing to go to the Hack-A-Roberson, who did his best to adhere to their strategy, missing his first 2, only for the Thunder to grab an offensive rebound. He then hit his next 2 free throws but needed to be taken out of the game because he was a ghastly 2-12 from the stripe.
With one minute to go, Westbrook turned the ball, Harden hit a clutch basket pushing the game to five points, Harden then shockingly turned the ball over with 22 seconds left after a Westbrook miss. This led to them fouling Adams who intentionally missed the second free throw which perfectly bounced to him. He gave it up to Russ who hit a DEEP three-point shot, the Thunder forgot to foul on the following possession, fouling Nene at the rack, giving him an AND1 and finally the game ended on a Westbrook turnover.
The game was hectic, it was without pace, it was hard fought and it was a great playoff game. The Rockets have proven they are the better team all while playing basketball much below their standards. Westbrook continued to struggle in the fourth quarter, shooting 11 times and making 5 of them but taking some ugly looks, trying to do it all by himself.
Westbrook, much like he did in game 3, needs to continue to trust his teammates through the entirety of a game. Giving a couple of those ugly shots in the 4th to his teammates, instead of chucking it up, could have been the difference between a win and a loss.
James Harden also struggled for most of the game, hitting the big bucket when it mattered and having his team carry him for most of the afternoon. Game 5 of the 2017 NBA playoffs between the Rockets and the Thunder will be Tuesday at 8 pm Eastern time where the Rockets can punch their ticket for the second round.
