Don't Sleep on Houston
The Warriors are the prohibitive favorites to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals come June. Their combination of talent and cohesion is unmatched and that is what will have them vying for their third championship in four seasons. Over that four-year span, their toughest competition has been the Cavaliers; LeBron being their kryptonite. This season, Steph Curry and company will have their hands full before ever taking the court with The King. The Houston Rockets are firing on all cylinders. Mike D’Antoni’s team has all of the ingredients to prevent a Cavs-Warriors tetralogy. Here are three reasons I think the Rockets can knock off the Warriors.
1. The addition of Chris Paul. Although CP3 is averaging a pedestrian 16 points per game, he is dishing out nearly 10 dimes a contest. Having Paul alleviates pressure from James Harden. Last year, Harden flamed out in the playoffs due to the heavy workload that ultimately expedited his demise. With Paul in the fold, not only do the Rockets have another playmaker, but they also have an adequate ball-handler that can buy Harden some rest so that when he is out on the hardwood he can go full throttle. James Harden is a top-three player in the NBA. Having him healthy, rested, and hungry is crucial.
2. Three-point barrage. The Rockets are hoisting 44 three-pointers per game which is ten more than the next team. Not only are they launching from beyond the arc at such a high clip, but they are connecting on nearly 37% of such shots. Teams cannot stop the Warriors; they have to try and score with them. Taking and making so many threes allows the Rockets the ability to do just that. In a seven-game series, if Houston can make 20 threes in at least two games (which isn’t inconceivable given their high-frequency of attempts) I like their chances versus anybody four times out of seven.
3.Clint Capela. The Rockets big man might be one of the most underrated players in the NBA. The 23-year-old Swiss big man is averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds while doing a phenomenal job of protecting the rim. Players like Capela give the Warriors fits. He is too big for Draymond Green, but too athletic for Zaza Pachulia. In a series between the Warriors and Rockets, Capela would be the X-factor.
