Game 5 Rockets @ Spurs: 7:00 PM Central 5/9/2017 brought to you by Kawhi's Wrath

[Uriel]

Spurs have a history of blowing critical home playoff games. Last year against OKC. LAC the year before that. And OKC in 2012.

Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

[Chinook]

James Harden is shooting 29 percent from the floor when guarded by Kawhi Leonard in this series, including just 10 percent from three. When not guarded by Leonard, Harden is shooting nearly 50 percent.

We've seen this type of stat many times, and it's misleading as . What they mean is that if Kawhi is still guarding Harden by the time he shoots, he doesn't shoot well. That makes sense, because it means that Harden hasn't gotten around him, forced a switch or something else like that. That inherently biases the sample to good Kawhi possessions. Kawhi's been the best Harden defender so far, don't get me wrong. But he pretty much went up and down with him last game with James scoring at nice clip. Trying to say, "It was actually on Pau when Harden beat Kawhi and got the layup" doesn't actually fix anything.

The Spurs are already playing Kawhi on Harden. The solution to checking him isn't more Kawhi, as the stat would imply. It's trying to shore up those possession that end in "others" or by going back to the Game Three strategy of not caring if Harden scores.

[SpursFan86]

We've seen this type of stat many times, and it's misleading as . What they mean is that if Kawhi is still guarding Harden by the time he shoots, he doesn't shoot well. That makes sense, because it means that Harden hasn't gotten around him, forced a switch or something else like that. That inherently biases the sample to good Kawhi possessions. Kawhi's been the best Harden defender so far, don't get me wrong. But he pretty much went up and down with him last game with James scoring at nice clip. Trying to say, "It was actually on Pau when Harden beat Kawhi and got the layup" doesn't actually fix anything.

The Spurs are already playing Kawhi on Harden. The solution to checking him isn't more Kawhi, as the stat would imply. It's trying to shore up those possession that end in "others" or by going back to the Game Three strategy of not caring if Harden scores.

Exactly. Kawhi being a great defender doesn't mean much if he just constantly gets screened off Harden and we end up with Aldridge or Pau on an island.

[playbonner15]

Not much effort put into this game thread tbh

Today's ST threads tbh

[dabom]

If only green could show for more than one game per series.

[DPG21920]

Spurs need all their shooters. Mills has to be a better PG (which I don't think is possible vs playoff game planning), Danny has to hit 3's too.

But most importantly is that with Pop going big, SA has to get Pau/LMA in better situations more consistently. Also, do not overreact to Harden as difficult as that is. If he scores 40 ok - just make it a chore and be disciplined on the others.

For the love of God - take care of the ball. The TO's kill you at both ends so badly.

[Fireball]

Exactly. Kawhi being a great defender doesn't mean much if he just constantly gets screened off Harden and we end up with Aldridge or Pau on an island.

you only end up if with that if you switch ... having Kawhi fight through screens the whole game could be too much though and impact his offensive efficiency

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Spurs need all their shooters. Mills has to be a better PG (which I don't think is possible vs playoff game planning), Danny has to hit 3's too.

But most importantly is that with Pop going big, SA has to get Pau/LMA in better situations more consistently. Also, do not overreact to Harden as difficult as that is. If he scores 40 ok - just make it a chore and be disciplined on the others.

For the love of God - take care of the ball. The TO's kill you at both ends so badly.

I agree, Game 3 Harden went HAM, but no one else did, maybe that's the best strategy.

In Game 4, Anderson, Gordon, Williams and Beverly all had fantastic shooting percentages as well as Harden. That's too much to overcome.

[Dex]

The Rockets have shown their hand. They are going to chuck from long-range, and live or die by the 3, especially with Nene gone.

If they shoot 45%+ from deep, they will probably win.

If we can either defend that, or if they just miss...Spurs chances go up significantly.

[NameLess Scrub]

The Rockets have shown their hand. They are going to chuck from long-range, and live or die by the 3, especially with Nene gone.

If they shoot 45%+ from deep, they will probably win.

If we can either defend that, or if they just miss...Spurs chances go up significantly.

This. Except Spurs won't just defend that. Either Rockets have a good night or not.

Chances are they do.

Rockets in 6.

[itzsoweezee]

So Gordon's starting in place of Anderson. What is Popovich's big adjustment going too be? Start Lee?

[Indazone]

Smallball vs Bigs and Inside Post Game. Three point shooting and seven seconds and less vs slow down half court offense. Who will win the scoring and rebound battle? 😁

[itzsoweezee]

you only end up if with that if you switch ... having Kawhi fight through screens the whole game could be too much though and impact his offensive efficiency

It worked in game 3.

[apalisoc_9]

So Gordon's starting in place of Anderson. What is Popovich's big adjustment going too be? Start Lee?

Gordon-Harden-Ariza-Bev-Capela

That's scary.

But we need to treat Lee like a superstar

[itzsoweezee]

A Murray-simmons-kawhi-green-lma/gasoline/Dedmon lineup should be able to dominate the boards, score inside, and defend the rockets small ball lineup. I hope Popovich is willing to make the adjustment.

[RD2191]

Pop is a stubborn senile got, make adjustments in the 2nd half of game 6 after we lose tonight.

[spursistan]

Keep wasting Kawhi prime with this loser

[Indazone]

You would probably be better rolling out Dedmon instead of LMA but you didn't hear it from me.��

[spursistan]

[RD2191]

Keep wasting Kawhi prime with this loser

Seriously need to see what we can get for him in the off-season.

[itzsoweezee]

Keep wasting Kawhi prime with this loser

I'd be interested to see what those numbers were in the Spurs' two wins.

[polandprzem]

I'd rather trap harden then make quick switches. Spurs mostly switched without any hesitation and lived with reality of having LMA guarding harden and it was not giving us any good. Thing of course with traps are that james is a great passer and can find an open guy. So if the Spurs wants to try that it's important to shut down first pass and Spurs knows the % of where those passes go.

And for sakes - kill them inside - esp with Capela out

[apalisoc_9]

Watch the third q of game 4...West lost the game in transition because Aldridge was taking ty Jumpers over Beverly.

[bklynspursfan]

Gotta love Dantoni giving us all this time to prepare for the move

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Poop is gonna start David Lee's bum ass isn't he