If you ignore the score, and just look at the other stats. You would think that Rockets won by a good amount.
+5 rebounds
+8 offensive rebounds
+9 shot attempts
+2 free throw attempts
The game was basically lost due to execution. 52%-57% fg 34%-50% 3pt 57%!!!!-91% ft
+5 turnovers
I like to be unbiased when talking about refs. I thought they were bad both ways, but slight edge to us. The jump ball foul is one of the rarest fouls. Should not have been called.
There was one instance when Harden drove, got fouled by Green and Duncan(they were both in foul trouble) and the foul goes to Splitter. Who was not even in the play.
Maybe we would have won this game if Joey Crawford was officiating. We could pencil in an automatic technical for Duncan on the bench. But we'd probably miss the free throw so maybe not.
Had the Rockets shot about 81% from the free throw line(their season average is roughly 78%) we could have won this game.
This has been hammered many times...Cole Aldrich. He does not deserve to be in the game. He does nothing for the team. He's not even a good towel waver.... When they had Splitter and Duncan out there, why not bring out Motie and Smith/Asik? Make up for mismatch on defense for a mismatch on offense. Aldrich isn't quick enough to defend the pick and roll, so he's useless to defend the Spurs. And he doesn't know the offense and/or has no offensive game.
Marcus Morris. I don't believe in true positions... but if you're the second biggest Rocket on the floor I'd expect more than 2 rebounds in 30 minutes. And 1-7 from 3%? I personally really like his dribble pull up game. He showcased it multiple times in other games. Why not do it when he has a slower player on him? Or drive past and finish strong? For someone who made their living by banging in the post in college, couldn't tell from his NBA game.
Asik has some stone hands.... only way to fix that is to work on it. And learn to finish strong... can't fault him b/c he wasn't expected to do much offensively in Chicago. But in Houston, he is one of the most important offensively. As Harden draws double teams and Lin goes into the lane, Asik will always be open. If he can consistently catch the ball and finish, there's no reason why he won't average 15-17 with 5-7 free throws a game.
Team defense. Too much ball watching on the perimeter leads to back door cuts, and wide open 3's.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the team. It's progress is way ahead of schedule. I didn't expect much from Lin or Asik. So they were pleasant surprises. Harden is a much better passer than I thought. Parsons has improved more than I would have imagined. Morris showed SOME credibility in his Carmelo comparison. Greg Smith turns into a fan favorite. Some additions I would like to see, a legit low post threat. A reliable off the bench ball handler. Specialists off the bench(lock down defender, spot up shooter, high energy, poster dunks).
Just my thoughts.