Houston @ Toronto 7:00 SN1

[GLF]

Look, there is always going to be something to be alarmed about. But if you make it a way of life you're never going to take joy in anything.

I think anyone with a realistic view of this team can see its glaring flaws. But it's not like we can do anything about it. Why make yourself crazy with worry? If you accept that we might not make it out of the first round, everything else will be gravy.

All I care about this playoffs is getting Demar, Val, and Ross some consistent opportunities. I don't care if we lose with our core. I will be upset if we lose and the kids don't get any experience out of it.

You're right. I'm slowing but surely learning to accept that we most likely won't get out of the first round. Hopefully that helps with my anxiety over this team lol

[GLF]

I was saying that from the time he entered in the fourth quarter. Finally, DeRozan hit him with a beautiful bounce pass, but on other occasions he and Vasquez looked him off.

I thought Vasquez would be better at hitting the roller. Where is Jose when you need him. I don't know why but it looks like most of our guys notice JV when it's too late and his defender has recovered to him. So by the time they see him it's too late to make the pass. Our guys don't have the greatest court vision.

[BigCamB]

I was saying that from the time he entered in the fourth quarter. Finally, DeRozan hit him with a beautiful bounce pass, but on other occasions he and Vasquez looked him off.

A play or two before that, JV was in the exact same position to receive the ball and he never looked at him. JV was a bit upset and I saw them talking about it. DeRozan went into that successful play knowing he wanted to pass it to JV. It was a great play but I wish it was a more natural thing.

[white men can't jump]

I thought Vasquez would be better at hitting the roller. Where is Jose when you need him. I don't know why but it looks like most of our guys notice JV when it's too late and his defender has recovered to him. So by the time they see him it's too late to make the pass. Our guys don't have the greatest court vision.

Which is probably part of the reason we see Salmons making inbounds passes...

[phiLLy]

Am I the only one that feels like Fields would be a good inbounder? Just generally due to his higher IQ, as it's displayed when he's playing, and he seems to have some pretty good court-vision too from what I remember?

[Puffer]

Told you guys. Blow out.

The Raps are done.

Mirage city baby.....with no lottery pick.

Wrong

[Puffer]

No Lowry = scrub team.


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Wrong

[KazanTheMan]

Wrong

I'll admit that I was. They still played horrendously to start though.

[psrs1]

No blowout but good win. I share GLFs concerns re blowing big leads but if they find a way to win I am ok with it. The Raps definetey play better overall when leading vs trailing. Next game another big one especially with Brooklyn playing Detroit.

[iblastoff]

meh. didn't houston blow their lead pretty fast in the 1st quarter too? they were down like 14 or something and then a few minutes later it was tied. "don't know how everyone else doesn't see" that this sport is a game of runs.

[Axel]

meh. didn't houston blow their lead pretty fast in the 1st quarter too? they were down like 14 or something and then a few minutes later it was tied. "don't know how everyone else doesn't see" that this sport is a game of runs.

Houston was also playing without 2 of their starters, both of which are easily top 3 defenders at their position. This whole game needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Good win, fought hard, but this isn't toppling a Championship contender with Howard and Beverley out.

[iblastoff]

Houston was also playing without 2 of their starters, both of which are easily top 3 defenders at their position. This whole game needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Good win, fought hard, but this isn't toppling a Championship contender with Howard and Beverley out.

dont see how that doesnt apply to the raptors too, who were also without 2 starters and arguably our best defenders.

[Axel]

dont see how that doesnt apply to the raptors too, who were also without 2 starters who are arguably also our best defenders.

Fair, and to our team, Amir and Lowry are the most important defenders, but neither are as good of defenders as Howard and Beverley. Lowry is very good at D but Beverley is great.

[Akkerman]

Fair, and to our team, Amir and Lowry are the most important defenders, but neither are as good of defenders as Howard and Beverley. Lowry is very good at D but Beverley is great.

Beverly is good at forcing turnovers, and getting under his opposition's skin, but he often gets beat reaching and is by no means a lock down defender

[Axel]

Beverly is good at forcing turnovers, and getting under his opposition's skin, but he often gets beat reaching and is by no means a lock down defender

Not sure everyone agrees with that assessment.

From SI's Point Forward
http://nba.si.com/2014/03/31/patrick...rn/#more-66706
"A scrappy defender known for his on-ball defense and general intensity, Beverley has stepped into a starting role for the Rockets this season. The Arkansas product is averaging 9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and he boasts a team-high net rating of +9.0."

Here's Grantland writer's with Beverley comments:
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...iation-thread/

"Harden and Howard might be the faces of the franchise, but Patrick is the heart. He makes them feisty."

"I fell in basketball love with Beverley at a Clips-Rockets game earlier this season. He spent the entire game agitating Chris Paul, defending him for 94 feet, making him miserable and basically trying to start a fight with him. You know what was interesting? CP3 didn’t really want any part of it."

You can't discount Beverley's impact on the Rockets.