Can the Rockets defy NBA history? They're on the brink of a legendary comeback, aiming to get one step closer against the Lakers tonight.
Throughout 80 years of playoff competition in the NBA, we’ve seen a countless number of comebacks that have stunned fan bases from coast to coast. While there’s only been seven game series in Round 1 since 2003, the Finals have always been the first to four wins.
Miraculously, no team has ever managed to come back and win after being behind 0-3 in a series. Several generations and over 5,000 players have failed to overcome that large of a deficit.
I truly find it hard to believe that no amount of injuries, hot streaks, or great coaching has led to a 0-3 comeback. We’re getting uncomfortably close to another team getting the opportunity to cement themselves in the record books.
Unfortunately for the Houston Rockets, that means they have one of the biggest uphill battles imaginable. They’ll have to do the impossible, and they’ve still yet to even get to Game 7.
Tonight we’ll get a potential series-ending game for the third straight time, as the Los Angeles Lakers are in Houston with a 3-2 advantage. With Kevin Durant scheduled to miss his fifth game this postseason, it’ll be up to the young guns again at home.
The Rockets were able to handle business on the road without Durant, despite Austin Reaves returning for the Lakers. It was an all around team effort with all five starters scoring in double figures.
While they only shot 76-percent for the game, their clutch free throw shooting in the last two minutes sealed the victory, as recapped on Roundtable. I’d certainly like to see them clean that up in the first 46 minutes and not even be in another clutch situation.
Clint Capela certainly wouldn’t help their free throw shooting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got more minutes in this game. Deandre Ayton was a menace on the glass, finishing with 10 out of his 17 boards being offensive rebounds.
Ime Udoka might not make that decision though. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that his team won the previous two games where Clint didn’t get any minutes. I personally think the team as a whole has picked up their play, and Capela can’t be blamed for the three losses.
He was a combined -27 in 20 minutes, but the Rockets as a whole were still outscored by 20 through three full games. Not many players had a positive plus/minus at the time.
Regardless of whether Capela sees any playing time, Houston needs to eliminate those second chance points for LA if they want to keep their season alive. They’ll need a full team effort on the glass, as Ayton has proved to be a problem.
Tune in to Amazon Prime Video for the matchup at 8:30 Central, or get tickets in Houston if you’re lucky! This should be a fun Friday nightcap.