Western conference semi-finals: Game 1 — Jazz @ Rockets 4/29/18 1:30 pm MST

[Shad]

I saw O'neal throw it away 3 times in a row.

This too.

 

[Deleted member 848]

Very encouraging 2nd half, best case scenario given how we started. A couple things—

- no one guards Harden better than Royce— he needs minutes
- we should experiment between running Ex and Neto off the bench, and ride with whoever is hot. Exum has this play where he switched on Ryan Anderson and stopped his layup because of that length; Neto did fine on the guards, and plays smart. I really don’t wanna see Burks out there.
- This series will only be a success for the Jazz if Rudy can punish their small son switches. Joe kept trying to force it in and kept ****ing it up.
- Mitchell with a quiet steady game. Ariza is giving him problems, and he’s gotta work past it. Quin’s gotta call plays to switch him off with screens.

 

[DasJazz]

So no to resigning Exum?

For the minimum or slightly over, yes. Anything above that, no.

 

[Siro]

For the minimum or slightly over, yes. Anything above that, no.

I bet they pay him something ridiculous, like 10m a year.

 

[aussietin]

Not surprised but still disappointed in the effort. Too many turnovers, too many missed FTs and too many missed defensive assignments. I am encouraged a little with the second half but again it might just be because the rockets became disinterested. Jazz need Rubio. I liked Exum and Neto's defense but Exum is a liable on the offensive end because of his turnovers and lack of jumper. Rudy got outplayed by Capella, that can't happen if the Jazz want any chance of winning in the series. I am hopeful that the Jazz can come back and make adjustments and play better next game.

Capela outplayed Rudy maybe a bit, but not as much as you seem to imply. They both really rely on guard play and Harden + CP3 as passers versus a Ricky-less Jazz backcourt is not really a fair matchup.

 

[SoUjazzfan]

Interested to see how Mitchell's ankle feels tomorrow. That was a horrible looking turn. Hope he's okay. I think we found a few things the second half. Just need to limit wide open looks, especially for cryin Chris and hit some damn free throws.

 

[Getting Traded]

They need to get Burks’ dumb *** out of this game

Dala, I disagree with you. The wide open style of the Rockets is perfect for Burks. Several of his drives he got fouled and they didn't call it. But he can get to the rim every time and this is something to take advantage of.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Ended up being a fun game. I think this made me more confident in my 5 game prediction.

1. Houston probably wont shoot that well on difficult 3's again. They may figure out how to get easier looks at some point, but I doubt they shoot that well on contested step-backs again.
2. The rebounding wasnt awful by any stretch, but the Jazz need a bigger rebounding advantage to win.
3. This series is way less physical. Exum and Crowder were able to play much better because of this. Easier looks and less body contact when dribbling. Everything against OKC felt like a wrestling match.
4. That being said, it's hard to see Crowder having a better offensive game than tonight.
5. Jazz cant turn it over 18 times and expect to be competitive. Jazz maybe had a legitimate run to put pressure on Houston, but they threw a lot of possessions away.
6. Royce O'Neale is going to be elite defensively one day. Great defense on Harden for most of his possessions on Harden.
7. Refs were on some ******** at times, but it wasnt as bad as I feared.

If we had a healthy Rubio I'd say 6 games, but I still think they can steal one in game 3 or 4.

 

[Hotdog]

Im encouraged by the 2nd half. I kept thinking they need to run Harden off the 3pt line and stop letting him do his little dance. Then they started doing it. Hopefully that is something Quin told them to do.

I also like that they started running more. We need to take it to them. Run, Run, Run, Run after your destiny.

 

[DasJazz]

I bet they pay him something ridiculous, like 10m a year.

I would cry. He's always been overly hyped for his length and speed. Problem is there is not a lot of basketball skill to go behind with that.

 

[aussietin]

We had a chance to get it down to a 7 point lead and then Joe Ingles took over and threw the ball away like 3-4 times in a row

They got desperate to chip away at it, stopped playing possession to possession, and started playing like they really wanted to get it within 10.

 

[gregbroncs]

Dala, I disagree with you. The wide open style of the Rockets is perfect for Burks. Several of his drives he got fouled and they didn't call it. But he can get to the rim every time and this is something to take advantage of.

I agree with Dala. Burks was terrible in the 1st half of this game and he's not good at taking the ball to the rim because they don't have to worry about anything but his shot when he does.