Rockets (38-20) at Celtics (41-17) Game #59 2/29.20

[Atzar]

We aren't built to score off the bench, especially with Kemba out. 

Our bench is built to bring defensive energy while a couple of the starters stay in to initiate offense.  The offense will always be Kemba, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, and some Smart.  And ideally, at least two of those guys will be on the court at all times.  Maybe a little bit of Kanter depending on matchups, but that's it.  We don't have gunners off the bench, so I don't know why people keep looking at the box score like they think we do. 

[Somebody]

We only have 2 points from our bench but still up 11.  Should be up more than that but hard to complain.

This is what worries me come playoff time. Even if Kemba returns and we're fully healthy, who can come off the bench and score? Like... starters having to score 100+ in games for us to win? Is that truly sustainable?

When Kemba returns, Smart goes to the bench. Now you have a bench scorer.

lol that Smart is now considered a SCORER.

I mean the bar for bench scoring isn't all that high, 10-13 PPG on decent efficiency plus very good playmaking skills is really good for a bench scorer.

[Phantom255x]

Is Kanter still hurt or is he not playing because of matchups?

A part of me thinks he does have a lingering injury and so they are sort of "load managing him". Having him play some games around 15 minutes, and other games just not playing him.

[gouki88]

We only have 2 points from our bench but still up 11.  Should be up more than that but hard to complain.

This is what worries me come playoff time. Even if Kemba returns and we're fully healthy, who can come off the bench and score? Like... starters having to score 100+ in games for us to win? Is that truly sustainable?

When Kemba returns, Smart goes to the bench. Now you have a bench scorer.

lol that Smart is now considered a SCORER.

13PPG on a team with with 4 guys between 17-24PPG is fine for a bench scorer, especially alongside a walking double-double in Kanter

[RockinRyA]

Is Kanter still hurt or is he not playing because of matchups?

Matchups. We also don't know if he's 100%. He has looked off for a while.

[Somebody]

Do we really need Kemba in the starting lineup? I am okay with Smart starting ..he brings defensive intensity.

Sigh. I knew it was only a matter of time till the old "we won without player x are we better without him" post.

i can see you have been posting at CS for a while. 

lol they're not as bad as "player x can't lead his craptastic team to wins so he can't be that good!" posts.

[nickagneta]

We only have 2 points from our bench but still up 11.  Should be up more than that but hard to complain.

This is what worries me come playoff time. Even if Kemba returns and we're fully healthy, who can come off the bench and score? Like... starters having to score 100+ in games for us to win? Is that truly sustainable?

When Kemba returns, Smart goes to the bench. Now you have a bench scorer.

lol that Smart is now considered a SCORER.

I think when the whole team is healthy, Smart, because of his somewhat more reliable three point game, can still give the team a consistent 12-15 PPG. That's good enough.

[jpotter33]

Let's hope we keep up the intensity in the second half! And stop the silly turnovers!

[Ogaju]

Do we really need Kemba in the starting lineup? I am okay with Smart starting ..he brings defensive intensity.

Sigh. I knew it was only a matter of time till the old "we won without player x are we better without him" post.

i can see you have been posting at CS for a while. 

lol they're not as bad as "player x can't lead his craptastic team to wins so he can't be that good!" posts.

'bad'? those are quality thread prolonging posts.

[Somebody]

Jaylen has developed some really nice foul drawing moves in his post game, those are essential for keeping his efficiency up in the playoffs.

[SCeltic34]

Good to see Hayward being aggressive.

[Somebody]

Do we really need Kemba in the starting lineup? I am okay with Smart starting ..he brings defensive intensity.

Sigh. I knew it was only a matter of time till the old "we won without player x are we better without him" post.

i can see you have been posting at CS for a while. 

lol they're not as bad as "player x can't lead his craptastic team to wins so he can't be that good!" posts.

'bad'? those are quality thread prolonging posts.

TP lol

[Ogaju]

Do we really need Kemba in the starting lineup? I am okay with Smart starting ..he brings defensive intensity.

Sigh. I knew it was only a matter of time till the old "we won without player x are we better without him" post.

i can see you have been posting at CS for a while. 

lol they're not as bad as "player x can't lead his craptastic team to wins so he can't be that good!" posts.

'bad'? those are quality thread prolonging posts.

TP lol

right back at ya!!

[SCeltic34]

What a finish by Brown.  WHere's the foul?

[knuckleballer]

What can Brown do for you!