PAGE 8
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE DAILY DEBATE
Who moves on, the Clippers or the Rockets?
After one game of the series between Houston and Los Angeles, the Rockets have already dug themselves into a hole that will be hard to dig themselves out of. A finally healthy Rockets team lost by double digits to the Clippers without Chris Paul, and it wasn't pretty.
For the rest of the series, the Clippers now have the upper hand, as they were able to steal a game in Houston without their main leader. Paul didn't play Wednesday night due to a strained hamstring, as reported by SportsCenter, but the Clippers proved they have the firepower to compete without him. In game one of the series, the Clippers
defeated the Rockets 117-101 with help from the Rockets.
The Rockets beat themselves, especially from the free-throw line, shooting just over 58 percent. Along with their shooting woes, the Rockets had trouble taking care of the ball, committing 23 turnovers.
The Clippers have proven themselves to be a title-contending team in the past couple weeks after knocking off the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in a tight seven-game series.
Blake Griffin has been flirting with a triple-double throughout the playoffs, averaging 24.4 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game. Griffin has recorded three triple-doubles in these playoffs thus far, including back-to-back triple-doubles in game seven against the Spurs and in game one against the Rockets.
The Clippers miss Paul, but Griffin has picked up the play in his absence. If Paul can't play in game two, expect Griffin to have another strong outing. Since Paul joined the Clippers, they have made
Luckily for the Clippers, they have one of the best benches in basketball, and that is ultimately what will give them the edge to win the series and move on to the Western Conference championship. Jamal Crawford is an excellent scoring option for the Clippers' reserves, averaging nearly 13 points per contest. Austin Rivers picked up the point guard play Monday night and scored 17 points, including 12 from three-point range.
the playoffs, and with the experience they have built over the past five years, they are ready for a serious title run.
Even if the Clippers lose in game two, they have two straight games at home and most likely a return from Paul. The Rockets are going to have to steal a couple games on the road if they want to have a chance in this series. However, if the Clippers can take game two in Houston, the Rockets won't be able to win the series, and it may already be too late as it is.
— Edited by Mitch Raznick
ROCKETS
+
Playing at their best right now, the Houston Rockets are a contender in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Rockets were battling with the Memphis Grizzlies for the Southwestern Division title, which gave the Rockets the No.2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Rockets clinched their first division title since 1994.
The Rockets did go to a five-game series with their in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, winning games one and two by double-digits, and game three by three points. The Rockets did not achieve the sweep over Dallas in game four, forcing a game five, which the Rockets also won, putting them at 4-1 in the series.
With more time to rest before facing their next opponent — the winner of the Clippers and the Spurs series — the Rockets were in good shape for their next series in the playoffs.
Coming off the momentum from their game-seven win against the Spurs, the Clippers were able to steal game one from the Rockets in Houston, despite Chris Pauls absence and no home-field advantage. If Paul is still infured for game two, the Rockets will surely win and take the series to 1-1 as they continue west to Staples Center for games three and four.
Most Valuable Player runner-up James Harden had an off-game Monday night, only scoring 18 points. Harden was also in foul trouble late in the game, which allowed the Clippers to make a run and increase their lead to double-digits. Let's not forget the Rockets also have big man Dwight Howard, who has come up huge in games as of late, including 26 rebounds in game three of the first round against Dallas.
Howard has recorded a double-double in all of the Rockets playoff games this
season except for game one and game four against Dallas.
"WITH MORE TIME TO REST BEFORE FACING THEIR NEXT OPPO-NENT THE WINNER OF THE CLIPPERS AND THE SPURS SERIES THE ROCKETS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THEIR NEXT SERIES IN THE PLAYOFFS."
Also watch out for Corey Brewer and Josh Smith to contribute for the Rockets, as well. Smith, who was acquired by the Rockets from the Detroit Pistons, has been playing his best basketball since he was picked up by the Rockets.
If all this can happen and the Clippers don't get Paul back soon, the Rockets have a good shot at taking the series and making their first appearance in the Western Conference Final since 1997.
— Edited by Mitch Raznick
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Class of 2015
Celebrate Graduation with the KU Alumni Association!
Grad Grill Noon-3 p.m.
Stop Day, Friday May 8
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for FREE Bigg's BBQ and music on Stop Day, as our way of
saying"Congratulations on your graduation!"
All graduating students are invited.
Commencement Open House Noon-3 p.m.
Commencement Day, Sunday May 17
Adams Alumni Center
Stop by the Adams Alumni Center on Commencement Day for a light snack and beverage!
The entire family is welcome.
Visit www.kualumni.org to learn more about what the KU Alumni Association has to offer you. Questions? Call 785-864-4760.