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Houston Rockets: Analyzing The Low-Seed Murkiness Of The West

By James D'Elia

Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) compete for a loose ball on the floor during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) compete for a loose ball on the floor during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

You know what that means, it’s time for a way-too-early full break down of the match up!

So first of all I love playing the Clippers, it’s one of my favorite match-ups and the Rockets normally play their best basketball against Los Angeles. Whenever you think Clippers you think Game 6 and I’ll never forget the Rockets come back and the look on Doc Rivers face. But things have changed since then, I mean, they have Chuck the Condor now how can they lose?

In all seriousness, this is a tough match up for the Rockets and I’m not sure if they’ll be able to come out on top. Chris Paul is playing out of his skin in the absence of Blake Griffin, and that’s a big thing to say about a nine time all-star. The Clippers have an offensive rating of 106.3 good for 6th in the league and a defensive rating of 101.7 which is good for 7th in the league. The Rockets, on the other hand, have an offensive rating of 105.1 which is 8th but a poor defensive rating of 106.5 which is the 22nd mark in the NBA.

Matchups:

PG Patrick Beverley vs Chris Paul  

Big, big win for the Clippers here. Paul is a mentally tough guy and Pat will really have to work hard to get in his head. In a way, Beverley will decide how Paul goes about his game, take away his shot and he’ll get 20 assists, clog the passing lanes and he’ll get 20 points and 20 assists.

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The man was born to assist and there’s nothing you can really do about it, he only has five games this season where he has finished with less than six assists. Bev will have to hit his three-pointers consistently, and play the best defense he can on the perennial All -Star.

Advantage: Clippers

SG James Harden vs JJ Redick 

This is the most intriguing match up in this game. It seems as if Redick always has a day out against the Rockets and it was no different when the two teams met on Wednesday night. Redick is an underrated defensive player and he will do a job on Harden but there’s no way you can lock down one of the best offensive players in the league for a seven-game series.

Here’s a bold prediction, Harden’s numbers will be similar to his regular season averages. The big side of this comes on the Rockets defensive end, Redick will most likely be Harden’s defensive assignment and Redick is the kind of player who will burn him. Harden can handle one-on-one defensive schemes where he can go for the block but what he can’t do is chase players around screens and follow their cuts.

Redick is one of the best at coming around a screen for the pull-up three, he made it an art form before Stephen Curry started pulling up from half court and stole his thunder.  I think both players will be strong offensive forces throughout the series but Harden’s output will edge out Redick’s.

Advantage: Rockets

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