Advantage San Antonio Spurs in play-off series against Houston Rockets

Patty Mills recorded the first playoff start of his career, played 43 minutes and scored 20 points. The series was in a 2-2 deadlock overall, but without any truly close individual game outcomes. Jonathon Simmons completely shut down a lethargic James Harden and by the third quarter Houston had folded. The Rockets used nine players in the first quarter of Game 4 after not utilizing more than eight prior to the fourth period in any of their first eight games of the postseason.

The Spurs claimed the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal in six games by blitzing the Rockets despite both Tony Parker (torn left quadriceps) and Kawhi Leonard (sore left ankle) being out with injuries. He is expected to play game 6. It stings. But like I said, we’ve just got to figure a way to get better, and we will. Credit to the Spurs. Mills then took a deep three- pointer with a hand in his face and made the shot, but the buzzer had sounded and Mills didn’t make it in time.

If you would like to receive an email each time a new San Antonio Spurs article is published, fill out our email notification form. In this series, Thompson will see Danny Green, who is a very good defender and, like Thompson, a designated shooter. The Rockets do not have a first round pick in the 2017 National Basketball Association draft but do have a pair of second rounders. I hate the Spurs.

But it was a frustrating night for Harden, who led the scoring for the Rockets with 33 points and a triple-double but was unable to provide his team with the breakthrough. It honestly felt like a lot more than 12 points.

Have I mentioned. damn you, Spurs! Houston trotted out a 7-man rotation and, by OT, was noticeably worn out, especially Harden, who missed three shots and coughed the ball up three times in the extra period.

Simmons responded by scoring 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting in 26 minutes. I actually tweeted this after the game. The Warriors managed to win anyway because Curry and Kevin Durant picked up the slack; how much longer can that happen? Rarely, was he being checked by the Rockets’ only legit post big, Clint Capela. While not abysmal, this percentage could definitely be argued as low by the Rockets’ standards.

Spurs guard Danny Green said after the game that it was hard to gauge Leonard’s pain level because he’s tough to read. A second act for the ultimate coaching rivalry, D’Antoni vs. Popovich. “So I was willing to take some contested shots tonight and I got into my rhythm early and after that I was good to go”. James Harden pulled up for the three, Ginobili went in for the risky block and stopped him cleanly, all ball on the block. In the last seconds of the game the Spurs were up 110- 107. It was like his team couldn’t think straight in overtime.

Houston coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t sure if the disappointment of losing a winnable Game 5 could have lingered with his team and contributed to this embarrassing blowout. It was Aldridge’s best offensive game since May 2, 2016 when he scored 41 points in a playoff win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They were last night, at least. Which superstar can deliver during Game 6?

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