“It seems like everybody’s perception of me is very bipolar,” Lin said. “To one group, it’s overpaid, overrated; to another group, it’s underpaid, underrated, underdog. It’s funny to me because there’s no real balance. Why can’t I just be a young player who’s shown some potential and has a lot of learning to do?”
Read the full article here: From Phenom to Everyday NBA Player
The Rockets lost a close OT game against the Lakers in their final game of the season. Harden and 30p and Parsons added 23p. The Lakers made a mini-run to take the lead mid-4Q. Down 3, Chandler Parsons hit a 3PT as time expired sending the game into OT. But the Lakers made their shots in OT to win. Both Harden and Lin struggled with their shot, Harden 8-25 and Lin 4-14. The Lakers slowed down the game and had 0 fast break points, but had 17 offensive rebounds on the night. Their ability to get fouled and get to the line proved to be the difference. With the loss, the Rockets fell to the 8th seed and will face OKC in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 on Sunday.
Lakers 99 – Rockets 95 (L)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 12 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 35 minutes, 4-14 FG, 2-7 3PT, 2-4 FT
The Rockets struggled in their penultimate game of the season against the lowly Suns, who led the entire 2nd half of the game. Parsons, Lin, and Delfino each had 20+ points, but Harden struggled with only 16 points on 5-18 FG including 0-7 on 3PTs. The loss put the Rockets back into 7th place in the Western Conference. Their final game of the season is on Wednesday against the Lakers.
Suns 119 – Rockets 112 (L)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 36 minutes, 8-19 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-4 FT
The Rockets dominated the Kings in their final home game of the season. They shot 54% FG and 48% 3PTs. They finished the 2Q and started the 3Q on a 19-0 run which put the game out of reach. Harden led the team with 29p/9a, and all the Rockets’ starters (plus Delfino) scored in double digits. The Rockets’ starters sat the entire 4Q. With the win, the Rockets moved ahead of Golden State to 6th place in the Western Conference.
Rockets 121 – Kings 100 (W)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 15 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 26 minutes, 4-8 FG, 1-2 3PT, 6-6 FT
The Rockets lost an ugly game to the Grizzlies on Friday, breaking their 13-game home win streak vs. Memphis that started in 2006. Neither team shot above 35%. The Rockets were down by 19 points in the 2Q, but Jeremy helped his team tie the game in the 4Q. Down 5 with 3 minutes to play, Jeremy hit two 3s and had a no-look pass to Asik for a dunk. After Memphis hit a few free throws, Harden (30p/6a/7r) had an open jumper to send the game into overtime, but it rimmed out.
Rockets 78 – Grizzlies 82 (L)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 17 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 45 minutes, 5-13 FG, 2-5 3PT, 5-6 FT
Playoff Bound! Jermaine O’Neal was called for goaltending on Harden’s last-second 3 pointer, giving the Rockets the victory over the Suns. With the Rockets win and the Jazz loss tonight, the Rockets clinched a playoff spot. Harden had 33p/6a/6r. Asik had 8p/22r. The Rockets did not play particularly well, committing 16 TOs and only shooting 20% from 3PTs. But Jeremy came through in the clutch, making a basket with 2 minutes to go to put his team up by 1, then hitting 2 crucial FTs with 35 second left to tie the game before Harden won it on the goaltending call.
Rockets 101 – Suns 98 (W)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 13 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 37 minutes, 5-14 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-3 FT
Charlie Rose interviewed Jeremy Lin for a special segment of 60 Minutes this Sunday.
The Rockets started hot the 1Q and got out to a 10pt lead, but it all went downhill from there. Denver outscored the Rockets 39-21 in the 2Q and 38-27 in the 3Q and ran away with the win. Jeremy had another solid game, leading the Rockets with 23p/8a. But Parsons and Delfino sat out again and Harden had an off night, only scoring 14 on 2-10 shooting. The Rockets have their final 3 home games next, before finishing the season on the road.
Nuggets 132 – Rockets 114 (L)
Jeremy Lin Stats: 23 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 35 minutes, 8-15 FG, 2-6 3PT, 5-6 FT
