OGT: Apr 2 Rockets (49-24) @ Raptors (42-32)

[Legends66NBA7]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10014650_10152027719876769_867975368_n.jpg

Raptors fans, if you haven't checked in yet, here is our playoff thread (with ticket information):

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330379



Game Links: http://gofirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20140402/HOUTOR/gameinfo.html?ls=slt

[QUOTE]The Toronto Raptors' attempt to hold onto the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference could be made considerably more difficult if one of their top players misses time in the final two weeks of the regular season.

That could be the case Wednesday night when the Raptors host the Houston Rockets with point guard Kyle Lowry's status uncertain after sustaining a knee injury Monday in Miami.

The Rockets, meanwhile, have been trying to chase down the No. 3 seed in the West without one of their top players as Dwight Howard has missed five of the last seven games with an ankle injury.

Lowry remained in the game after suffering the injury in the first half, but left in the second half after scoring 11 points in 26 minutes. He entered the game struggling and has been held to 12.0 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting in his last three.

"He bumped knees," coach Dwane Casey said after the 93-83 loss to the Heat. "It puffed up a little bit. X-rays were negative. We just have to wait and see how he is."

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Toronto (42-32) and, coupled with Chicago's win, dropped it into a tie with the Bulls for the No. 3 seed.

The Raptors shot 50.0 percent for the game but were held to 32 second-half points.

"It was a hard-fought game -- basketball at a high level," said Greivis Vasquez, who led Toronto with 17 points off the bench. "We lost it in the third period. We came out too relaxed. We didn't attack the basket. Everything worked for them."

Toronto has won six straight home meetings with the Rockets (49-24), but the only meeting this year was one to forget. The Raptors shot a season-low 33.3 percent and fell 110-104 in double overtime on Nov. 11 in Houston.

Since-traded Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan combined for 51 points but shot 17 of 62 from the field.

Jeremy Lin scored a game-high 31 points off the bench for Houston while James Harden added 26 and Howard had 18 and 24 rebounds.

The Rockets might not have their big man this time around as they try to work through a trio starters. Howard sat out a second straight game in Tuesday's 105-96 loss at Brooklyn, and they were also without point guard Patrick Beverley (torn right meniscus) and small forward Terrence Jones (flu-like symptoms).

Beverley has missed two games but is expected to return this season without surgery.

"We had the same problem early in the season," Harden said. "We thought we were getting over it, getting guys healthy and getting into mojo and a groove. Three of our starters are out now so we've just got to figure out a way to get through it. We'll be alright."

Harden scored a team-high 26 points while Omer Asik, starting for Howard, had 12 and a career-high 23 rebounds. But Houston shot 38.1 percent and fell three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for third in the West.

Injuries or not, coach Kevin McHale wants to see more accountability and execution out of his players to avoid a third straight loss.

"It doesn't make any different who's out," McHale said. "We've got to play

[Rocketswin2013]

Loss.




Depleted and the few starters we played last night played 40+ minutes each.



This should get ugly. Hopefully Parsons and Harden get to play below 30 mins each.

[Legends66NBA7]

Will Terrence Jones play or is he still out with the flu ?

[Rocketswin2013]

Will Terrence Jones play or is he still out with the flu ?
He'll probably be a GT decision. This is like the third time all year he has caught the flu. :facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Lowry's a game time decision too from a knee injury. And yeah, that's strange that he would get the flu multiple times in the season. Head athletic trainer and medical staff should get on that sooner.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bump. No injury updates.

For now, most players will be game-time decisions. Will be at the game, so someone bump this when the game starts.

[Dave3]

I doubt the Rockets lose 2 in a row. They just had to lose against the Nets last night :facepalm

Assuming Brooklyn beats NY tonight, if we lose this we're looking at a half game lead for the division. Come on Raptors!!:rant We gotta win this:rant

[moe94]

You can still get tickets?

[kaiteng]

Raptors will have easier schedule after this and the game against Pacers on Friday. But the thing is that if the Nets don't cool down the Raps may lose the Atlantic Div leader position for the rest of the season.

Yeah, at the end, just keep on winning. :ohwell:

[Fire Colangelo]

Gota get that Atlantic title!!

[kaiteng]

Gota get that Atlantic title!!
I'd rather say getting the 3rd spot, then the Atlantic title. :D

[red1]

leggo raps

[Marlo_Stanfield]

DeRozan will drop 45 on Harden and people will blame Lin.
nothing new here

[brwnman]

I'd rather say getting the 3rd spot, then the Atlantic title. :D

http://static.fjcdn.com/comments/4888640+_52416ad1c6a072012f77793b9e27be91.jpg

[Marlo_Stanfield]

harden already leads the game in flops flop:roll: :roll:

[Marlo_Stanfield]

my god harden and parsons are retarded. fighting for a pass and lose it lol

[Dave3]

So the dunk count for Parsons in the first quarter so far is 4...

Wtf Raptors?

[kaiteng]

Batterson is at work! :rockon:

[Dave3]

Batterson is at work! :rockon:
> Lowry :bowdown:

[kaiteng]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/435092991355535360/6fsVkD8X.jpeg

[kaiteng]

DeRo!! (the soccer one) :rockon: :applause: :bowdown: :cheers:

[moe94]

Harden doing Harden things

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Harden doing Harden things
2 flops already:coleman:

[oarabbus]

2 flops already:coleman:


Silly Harden, doesn't he know they only call flops for LeBron and Durant in the postseason?

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Silly Harden, doesn't he know they only call flops for LeBron and Durant in the postseason?
lebron has to break his nose to get a call. oh wait he still wont get it

[Marlo_Stanfield]

parsons is so terrible. tries to take on 4 people at once multiple times:biggums:

[Marlo_Stanfield]

scumbeard already with 3 flops

[oarabbus]

parsons is so terrible. tries to take on 4 people at once multiple times:biggums:

:lol why does Parsons always do this ****? Goes off and thinks he's Carmelo or LeBron for a minute. He'd be fantastic under Popovich aka a coach who benches his ass when he tries retard sh1t

[Marlo_Stanfield]

:lol why does Parsons always do this ****? Goes off and thinks he's Carmelo or LeBron for a minute. He'd be fantastic under Popovich aka a coach who benches his ass when he tries retard sh1t
MCFail lets him handle the ball over Lin, he cant do no wrong and plays 40 minutes a game.
also plays for a new contract.
hes like mchales son.
this is beyond ridiculous

[Marlo_Stanfield]

how can you buy on a parsons fake:biggums: :biggums:
he has the worst shot i have EVER seen
Lin:facepalm

[Marlo_Stanfield]

harden such a punk.
lin always sets him up and he NEVER returns the favor.
rather passes to useless pricks like hamilton every single time.
i wont watch any rockets games anymore:facepalm

[bballbball]

Never knew Derozan gets to the FT line as much Harden, averages only 1 less attempt per game despite shooting worse percentages all around and averaging less points. Shooting guard lacks so much depth these days.

[YouGotServed]

harden such a punk.
lin always sets him up and he NEVER returns the favor.
rather passes to useless pricks like hamilton every single time.
i wont watch any rockets games anymore:facepalm

Shhhhhh, LOF.

[moe94]

He's a way better defender doe

[bballbball]

He's a way better defender doe

True, much worse playmaker though.

[Young X]

dat eurostep

[YouGotServed]

Lin is a joke :oldlol:

[moe94]

lmao Parsons

[moe94]

Raps locking up these fools

Eastern conference doe

Wut up

[UK2K]

harden such a punk.
lin always sets him up and he NEVER returns the favor.
rather passes to useless pricks like hamilton every single time.
i wont watch any rockets games anymore:facepalm

Probably cause Lin is 2-11....

Your boy is garbage.

[bballbball]

Raptors getting to FT line at will.

[kaiteng]

I wanna see Raptors' 3rd line now. :D :rockon:

[JohnFreeman]

Raptors going to beat Pacers

[r0drig0lac]

raps in 4

[moe94]

I jinxed it :(

[red1]

fck Im missing this game

[Finger Roll]

Garcia is weak lol

[moe94]

Errrbody airballin

[moe94]

Derozan thinks he's Kobe smh

[ABfor3]

Lmao Asik just kicked hansborough in the face after he dunked the ball

[moe94]

He didn't seem to care, either.

[kaiteng]

NananaNanananana~ PATMAN!!

[ABfor3]

Kinda miss P Pat in a Rockets jersey

[Marlo_Stanfield]

rockets lost the game as soon as they put this ultra scrubs harden and parsons back in.
parsons is the funniest thinks hes hot shit :roll: :roll:

[Dave3]

rockets lost the game as soon as they put this ultra scrubs harden and parsons back in.
parsons is the funniest thinks hes hot shit :roll: :roll:
Are you a Raptors fan?

[moe94]

Derozan showing off his vision

Top 5 passer all time

[kaiteng]

Derozan showing off his vision

Top 5 passer all time
Too bad he can't handle it well enough.

[ABfor3]

rockets lost the game as soon as they put this ultra scrubs harden and parsons back in.
parsons is the funniest thinks hes hot shit :roll: :roll:
Dude you don't even root for any team, you're just a pest to society

[Marlo_Stanfield]

what the fuq he benched lin:biggums: :biggums:
he singlehandedly brought them back and gets benched for a D-League shithead now:wtf: :biggums:
i hope mcfail breaks his other leg too

[Kungfro]

:oldlol:

[red1]

rozay!

[kaiteng]

Canaan, BREAKING ANKLE!!

By Vasquez no less. :oldlol:

[Fire Colangelo]

fck Im missing this game

same :facepalm stuck at a movie theatre fkkkk

[moe94]

Pathetic display by Harden

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Dude you don't even root for any team, you're just a pest to society
nikko shut up.
ur retarded ****head of a coach just benched lin for a D-League player in crunchtime again after lin brought you guys back.
u cant tell me anything

[kaiteng]

Pathetic display by Harden
That's how he wins, pathetically.

[ABfor3]

nikko shut up.
ur retarded ****head of a coach just benched lin for a D-League player in crunchtime again after lin brought you guys back.
u cant tell me anything
Obviously, no rockets fan I know of likes McHale.

[Kungfro]

Wow, how did that happen?

edit: Oh god, the idea of splitting the webbing on your finger just makes me cringe.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Obviously, no rockets fan I know of likes McHale.
lol ur entire main fansite, clutchfans and their moderator salivate over him because he hates lin so much.
all rockets fans are pathetic lin haters, at least all i ever known

[moe94]

Wow, how did that happen?

edit: Oh god, the idea of splitting the webbing on your finger just makes me cringe.
Tell me about it. Still wincing.:biggums:

[UK2K]

lol ur entire main fansite, clutchfans and their moderator salivate over him because he hates lin so much.
all rockets fans are pathetic lin haters, at least all i ever known

His last three games as a starter have been pretty pathetic. Dont know why you lick his ballz all day.

[red1]

yes jonas

[moe94]

Damn Derozan:applause:

[madmax]

That's how he wins , pathetically.

:lol
anyway, important W for the Raps in dat quest for the 3rd seed

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

why does this raptors commentator have delayed reaction for everything:lol :lol :lol :lol

[Marlo_Stanfield]

His last three games as a starter have been pretty pathetic. Dont know why you lick his ballz all day.
16 points and 13/7 is really pathetic playing with harden right??:roll: :roll:
harden and useless mega scrub parsons, whos good at NOTHING and chokes EVERYTIME in crunchtime lost the game

[JohnFreeman]

why does this raptors commentator have delayed reaction for everything:lol :lol :lol :lol
Autism day

[YouGotServed]

Lin is a joke :facepalm

[bballbball]

16 points and 13/7 is really pathetic playing with harden right??:roll: :roll:
harden and useless mega scrub parsons, whos good at NOTHING and chokes EVERYTIME in crunchtime lost the game


Lin is terribad yo

[oarabbus]

16 points and 13/7 is really pathetic playing with harden right??:roll: :roll:
harden and useless mega scrub parsons, whos good at NOTHING and chokes EVERYTIME in crunchtime lost the game


Did Harden guard Derozan? Letting him go off is what cost the Rox

[red1]

dats dat salami and cheese

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Did Harden guard Derozan? Letting him go off is what cost the Rox
bringing back harden and ultra scrub parsons when lin was on fire and led a 21-2 run is what cost them.
hardens opponent dropping 30 is a given anyway

[kaiteng]

dats dat salami and cheese
Not yet. Probably 2 more plays for Rockets.

[oarabbus]

bringing back harden and ultra scrub parsons when lin was on fire and led a 21-2 run is what cost them.
hardens opponent dropping 30 is a given anyway


:roll: so true, whether it's DeRozan or a white boy like JJ Reddick, they will LIGHT IT UP with Haren as the matchup :lol

[mr.big35]

good win raptors

[kaiteng]

And now a 3-point game with less than 5 secs left.

[YouGotServed]

Lin you fukking idiot :roll:

[kaiteng]

So un-clutch at FT line. :facepalm

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Lin you fukking idiot :roll:
he got fouled you goof.
but you cant give him a call since harden already uses up all of the rockets calls
Lin only Rocket with heart

[oarabbus]

Lin you fukking idiot :roll:

for making a clutch 3? :roll:

[red1]

Not yet. Probably 2 more plays for Rockets.
how bout now :pimp:

[kaiteng]

http://amazingsandwiches.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/salami-cheese-sandwich-800x533.jpg

But can Raptors just convincingly win for once? :ohwell:

[YouGotServed]

he got fouled you goof.
but you cant give him a call since harden already uses up all of the rockets calls
Lin only Rocket with heart

Shhhhh, LOF. Let the real Rockets fans discuss the game.

Lin is an idiot and a pvssy. Single handedly cost the Rockets the game.

[moe94]

The god speech doe

[kaiteng]

Shhhhh, LOF. Let the real Rockets fans discuss the game.

Lin is an idiot and a pvssy. Single handedly cost the Rockets the game.
So winning pathetically is the better way for ya.

[shejan]

I love vasquez. I can tell he genuinely gives it all, and he knows he's not just playing for a city but the whole country.

[oarabbus]

Shhhhh, LOF. Let the real Rockets fans discuss the game.

Lin is an idiot and a pvssy. Single handedly cost the Rockets the game.


You ain't a real Rockets fan :roll:

If the Rockets lose and Lin plays badly, you're happy... AKA not a true fan

[YouGotServed]

You ain't a real Rockets fan :roll:

If the Rockets lose and Lin plays badly, you're happy... AKA not a true fan

You madd cause I think Lin is useless?


So winning pathetically is the better way for ya.

lol what?

[Xsatyr]

This is the worst time for the Rockets to be missing three starters.

[moe94]

I love vasquez. I can tell he genuinely gives it all, and he knows he's not just playing for a city but the whole country.

He is love and life simultaneously. :applause:

[Grey Dawn]

Good game raps


But yeah God doesn't make sports team A win over sports team B. Most stupid post game subject ever

[UK2K]

16 points and 13/7 is really pathetic playing with harden right??:roll: :roll:
harden and useless mega scrub parsons, whos good at NOTHING and chokes EVERYTIME in crunchtime lost the game

He's putting up 14 shots per game as a starter...

Shooting 31%...

Yes that is pathetic, no matter who you play with. Once again I ask, why do you want to lick his ballz so bad?

[UK2K]

14 and 5 shooting 31% on 14 shots per game is awful.

Straight garbage. At least when Bev was in there, he was a threat from outside and played lock down defense. What does Lin do well? Honestly, what does he do well?

Simple question, dont deflect and blame Harden for Lin shooting 31%. Simple, easy, what does Lin do well?

He's had 3 games as a starter and he is shooting 31%. So.... tell me..:banghead:

[YouGotServed]

14 and 5 shooting 31% on 14 shots per game is awful.

Straight garbage. At least when Bev was in there, he was a threat from outside and played lock down defense. What does Lin do well? Honestly, what does he do well?

Simple question, dont deflect and blame Harden for Lin shooting 31%. Simple, easy, what does Lin do well?

He's had 3 games as a starter and he is shooting 31%. So.... tell me..:banghead:

He doesn't do anything well. Bench him, Canaan should start.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

http://amazingsandwiches.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/salami-cheese-sandwich-800x533.jpg

But can Raptors just convincingly win for once? :ohwell:
WTF kinda bread is that:biggums: :biggums:

[UK2K]

He doesn't do anything well. Bench him, Canaan should start.

Canaan isnt much of an upgrade, but at least with Lin coming off the bench he could go against the other team's scrub players and provide a spark. The starters don't need Lin when Dwight gets back, they just need someone to stand in the corner and knock down 3's. Lin can't do that...

He does need to come off the bench, he's better there.

[YouGotServed]

Canaan isnt much of an upgrade, but at least with Lin coming off the bench he could go against the other team's scrub players and provide a spark. The starters don't need Lin when Dwight gets back, they just need someone to stand in the corner and knock down 3's. Lin can't do that...

He does need to come off the bench, he's better there.
Agreed.

[KungFuJoe]

Lin was +15 and Haren's man scores 29 but I guess it's Lin's fault Houston loses.

[UK2K]

I really just want to see that dude answer my question.

Lin has been unleashed, and we see he's been.... garbage.

Blame Mchale, blame Harden, blame Parsons (the best value contract in the league), blame Clutch, blame Rockets fans.

[YouGotServed]

He won't answer your question because he can't. He doesn't have an answer.

[UK2K]

Lin was +15 and Haren's man scores 29 but I guess it's Lin's fault Houston loses.
:lol at using +/- for one game.

Harden was checking Derozan (an all-star) who's averaging 25 ppg over his last 10. Raise your hand if you thought Harden would keep him below that average? Anybody? *crickets*

Vasquez averages 9 per game, but had 15 (including 4 3's).

Did Derozan outplay Harden? No.

Did Vasquez outplay Lin? Yes.

But I digress... I never said it was Lin's fault, I just simply asked what Lin does well.

[Dresta]

:lol at using +/- for one game.

Harden was checking Derozan (an all-star) who's averaging 25 ppg over his last 10. Raise your hand if you thought Harden would keep him below that average? Anybody? *crickets*

Vasquez averages 9 per game, but had 15 (including 4 3's).

Did Derozan outplay Harden? No.

Did Vasquez outplay Lin? Yes.

But I digress... I never said it was Lin's fault, I just simply asked what Lin does well.
Yes, he comfortably outplayed him.

[YouGotServed]

Yes, he comfortably outplayed him.

No, he didn't.

[smoovegittar]

Lin fans drinking that bong water. Rockets spent WAY too much money on that kid. Good luck in the playoffs :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Fun game to be at, although the ending could have been better. Casey's still has a lot of understanding about rotations if he wants to continue coaching. Shouldn't have taken DeMar out if he was feeling it. Also, you need to keep Salmons out of close games and out of the damn inbounds plays, please...

Random note, there was a fight in the lower bowl after the first half ended. One guy landed 10+ elbows into this other guys back. Why people want to get banned from an arena is beyond me. I think 3 people got escorted out.



You can still get tickets?

Yeah, there are usually tickets available either online or at ticketmaster, even during game day.


Are you a Raptors fan?

I think he just hates Harden.


I love vasquez. I can tell he genuinely gives it all, and he knows he's not just playing for a city but the whole country.

Good on and off court personality. Wish he didn't whine so much to the officials and he needs to work on his defense, but his passion is there. He can get hot come playoff time.


:lol at using +/- for one game.

Harden was checking Derozan (an all-star) who's averaging 25 ppg over his last 10. Raise your hand if you thought Harden would keep him below that average? Anybody? *crickets*

Vasquez averages 9 per game, but had 15 (including 4 3's).

Did Derozan outplay Harden? No.

Did Vasquez outplay Lin? Yes.

But I digress... I never said it was Lin's fault, I just simply asked what Lin does well.

To the bold, yes, I actually have a response here... what game were you watching ? Because I'm pretty sure I saw Chandler Parsons guard DeMar for the majority of this game. And when he checked out, it was Francisco Garcia guarding DeMar. Thought I saw Casspi have his turn too. Harden rarely guarded DeMar and vice versa. Harden was guarding Terrence Ross, primarily.

Regardless, I'll check the replay just to be sure but I know I'm certain of this.

And yes, DeMar did outplay Harden, that much was clear to me. Best player on the court last night. Vasquez outplayed Lin, sure. I don't think he either case was by that big of a margin, but a margin enough for one back court to get help lead their respective team to a win.

[UK2K]

Harden rarely guarded DeMar and vice versa. Harden was guarding Terrence Ross, primarily.

Regardless, I'll check the replay just to be sure but I know I'm certain of this.
You're right. Ross was 6-12 for 14 points. I'll take it.


And yes, DeMar did outplay Harden, that much was clear to me. Best player on the court last night. Vasquez outplayed Lin, sure. I don't think he either case was by that big of a margin, but a margin enough for one back court to get help lead their respective team to a win.

Derozan - 10-19, 29pts, 6rebs, 4asts.
Harden - 7-17, 26pts, 6rebs, 4asts.

By what measure? Because statistically, that isn't the case, unless you think +3 points is being clearly outplayed.

[UK2K]

Yes, he comfortably outplayed him.

Derozan - 10-19, 29pts, 6rebs, 4asts.
Harden - 7-17, 26pts, 6rebs, 4asts.

Comfortably.

[Legends66NBA7]

You're right. Ross was 6-12 for 14 points. I'll take it.



Derozan - 10-19, 29pts, 6rebs, 4asts.
Harden - 7-17, 26pts, 6rebs, 4asts.

By what measure? Because statistically, that isn't the case, unless you think +3 points is being clearly outplayed.

DeMar also drew 2 charges.

And no, again, look what I posted. I said he outplayed, but not by that much. Just enough, though. You can't say DeMar didn't outplay Harden and use stats, then turn it around and say Vasquez outplaed Lin if were going to use stats.