Aloha,
If you had told me that team would shoot 39% from the field and Luk, Rui and Austin would go a combined 2-16 from 3, I would have asked, how much did we lose by. But like superhero’s coming to the rescue, Gabe and DFS each hit 6 3’s.
But more importantly our defense showed up. Actually I thought our defense was much better than theirs because we missed so many wide open looks. Our small ball line up actually matches up well with the Rockets. Sengun plays below the rim like the Joker without the bulk. This allows both Lebron and Rui to guard him because he isn’t strong enough to move them.
Lebron, Rui, DSF and Vando are big guys and while none are in your face shot blockers they all great weak side help shot blockers as LeBron and DSF demonstrated last night. It will be a challenge in the playoffs against certain teams without a good rim protector in the middle. But I think offensively we can make up for some of that.
That Bulls game still bothers me because of seeding. Yes the main goal is to avoid the play in. Yes it would be great to finish 4th for a first round home series but 3rd would be better because you avoid the Thunder until the conference finals. The bad news is we have a tough remaining schedule. The good news is most all the teams we are battling with don’t have cake walk schedules either. Plus we have tie breaks with everyone except the Rockets and we have one more with them.
Our offense was great against the Griz and our defense was great against the Rockets. Here’s hoping we can start to put the two together in the remaining games.
Excellent post! What a game by DFS and Gabe.
Buba, so true about Gabe…he is back from his long injuries and I was wrong to think he was not an asset. I also am changing my hard criticisms on Vanderbilt (the reset is a work in progress)…with defenses having to double Luka, Lebron, and collapse on Reaves….Vanderbilt has freedom…if he can hit those corner 3’s and get more consistent on defense…(stay on his feet)…then he is an asset (and he was rarely an asset under the previous coach, forgot the loser’s name already, thank GOSH!!!!)….
“forgot the loser’s name already, thank GOSH!!!!)….” Hahaha, that is really funny.
I can’t say how much Gabe has become this team’s reliable and trusted player. Also, he is peaking at the right time. You are right about Vando. We are in the same boat. Great points, as always.
Thanks for responding. @humanomaly. As always, you make great points. I always enjoy reading your comments.
That’s the differ from a win or a loss. Be steady and consistent.