The playoffs are a battlefield for stars, but in games with a sharp increase in intensity, little people with a strong heart can also become an important player in turning the tide of the battle. The Clutch Times will record daily during the playoffs and share with fans the key players who influence the overall situation.
2019/5/5 Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals
Rockets 126 [win] 121 Warriors
★PJ Tucker｜7 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Facing the Warriors' overwhelming Hampton 5, the Rockets relied on the more outstanding performance of their role players to regain victory today. Eric Gordon shouldered the third brother's responsibility with a 50% shooting percentage and scored 20 points in the first half to support the scoring. Iman Shumpert also contributed two three-pointers in the third quarter, which not only made the Warriors' defense focus on one thing, but also gave Tucker, who appeared in the fourth quarter, more energy to disrupt the game.
In the closely fought fourth quarter and overtime, Tucker grabbed 9 rebounds, and 4 offensive rebounds successfully blocked the Warriors' pursuit of points. If Andre Iguodala is the MVP who relies on defense, then Tucker's performance today can also be called the Rockets MVP.
The Rockets, who have regained one victory, are still behind in one win and two losses. If they want to play the role of the Warriors killer, they need these little guys to do their best in every possession.
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2019/4/18 Western Conference First Round Second Game
Rockets 118 [win] 98 Jazz
★PJ Tucker｜16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Restricted by the terrifying destructive power of James Harden, the favorite for the annual MVP, the Jazz, whose lineup was completely suppressed, could only adopt a gambling-style defense, guarding the outside firepower of the bearded man, forcing him to cut in and let the second line Rudy Gobert interfere; however, in the second line, Rudy Gobert interfered. In the first game, Harden relied on his tacit understanding with Clint Capela to kill the Jazz; in the second game, the Jazz decided to bring in one more person to help defend the interior, which indeed successfully limited Capela's destructive power (7 points, 10 rebounds), but ended in another defeat... The reason is that the outside corps led by PJ Tucker successfully set up a fire net and completely breached the Jazz defense!
Also because of the Jazz's targeted defense, P.J. Tucker had gaps as big as the sea many times. With a three-point shooting percentage of 37.7% this season, he also successfully seized the opportunity and hit all four of his first four shots from outside, helping the Rockets lead the Jazz by 20 points in the first quarter until the end. In addition to him, Eric Gordon (3), Austin Rivers (2) and Danuel House Jr. (1) also participated in this three-point fireworks show. The Rockets did not give the Jazz any chance and firmly grasped the home court. Two wins!
More key figures:
2019 Playoffs Key Player – Jamal Murray’s fourth-quarter turnaround
The key players in the 2019 playoffs – the Clippers and Green Leafs’ epic counterattack!
2019 Playoffs Key Player – Blazers Enes Kanter
Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Magic DJ Augustin beats Raptors
