Houston Rockets: 5 Keys To Winning Game 7
5. Corey Brewer Showing Up
Inserting Josh Smith into the starting lineup over Terrence Jones was a ballsy move by head coach Kevin McHale that earned the Rockets two straight wins. But if you’re looking for a clear correlation between victory and defeat for Houston based on a role player’s performance, look no further than Corey Brewer.
He’s not a great three-point shooter on a team that demands either three-pointers or layups. He’s been a bit inconsistent at times in these playoffs. He even bears a remarkable resemblance to Dave Chappelle’s Tyrone Biggums character. But unlike Biggums, when the Rockets get him the rock in transition, they’re better off for it.
It shouldn’t even be a surprise that it was Brewer fueling that improbable fourth quarter Game 6 comeback with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Dwight did his job, kudos, expected of a max player. But tonight 2 Morey acquisitions saved the season; Corey Brewer and Josh Smith.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) May 15, 2015
In wins during this series, Brewer is averaging 15.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field (22.2 percent from three-point range). He’s been a +13.7 in those games and averaged 4.7 fast break points by himself. In losses, those numbers basically slice in half to 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 fast break points per game on 34.5 percent shooting (11.1 percent from deep).
Oh yeah, and Brewer’s also been a -16.7 in Houston’s three losses this series.
When the Rockets are feeding Brewer in transition, and when their energetic swingman is attacking the rim (or at least making one out of every five three-pointers), they’re in a good position to win games. That goes double for a high-pressure Game 7 at home.
Next: No. 4