Houston Rockets: An early look at the team’s potential playoff match ups
We’re about halfway through the season so here’s a look at how the potential path the Houston Rockets would go through according to the current seeding in the Western Conference. Do you agree with my predictions?
Houston Rockets fans — with the purpose of being as accurate as possible, these match up predictions will be made assuming that the higher seeds advance in each round.
First Round: Houston Rockets (2) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (7)
Whoa, what better way to start the postseason than facing Chris Paul‘s former team.
As was publicly shown in Monday’s game, these teams do not like each other. With former teammates on both sides, there are plenty of story-lines in this probable series.
Will Lou Williams continue his stellar season? How physical will the series get?
Doc Rivers knows Paul pretty well and should setup a game plan to take into account the former Los Angeles Clipper’s talents. That won’t be all he will have to deal with though as MVP front-runner James Harden will certainly be eager to help his new teammate eliminate his former team.
Prediction
It will be a scrappy and rough series, with Houston’s offensive prowess overwhelming the out-manned Clippers in five.
Second Round: Houston Rockets (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (3)
Redemption is certainly the word that will be on everyone’s mind in this series.
Last season’s elimination at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs was as heartbreaking as it was disappointing. Harden had a MVP-caliber year and had fans believing of at least a Conference Finals appearance.
The pressure of having to make every single play eventually caught up with the Beard. Fatigue was obvious in Game 6 when he scored an embarrassing 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting.
San Antonio is having as great a season as possible with Kawhi Leaonard trying to fight off that quad injury. LaMarcus Aldridge is playing at an All-Star level and Gregg Popovich is Gregg Popovich.
Prediction
This should be a tightly-contested series, with excellent talent on both sides. The addition of Chris Paul will help Harden in a seven game series where Houston’s home court advantage will tip the series their way.
Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Houston Rockets (2)
This is the match up the Rockets’ front office is waiting for.
Everything the organization has done these past few seasons has been with their eye on the defending champs. The Warriors have what the Rockets want.
The two best offenses facing each other will surely make for some entertaining basketball. Harden and Paul joined forces believing they have what it takes to dethrone the champs. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are thinking dynasty.
Most believe the only obstacle in this juggernaut’s path to a repeat are the Rockets. Everything would have to go right in order for Harden and co. to pull it off, but there’s certainly a chance.
Prediction
The only way Houston will advance is if Golden State suffers a series of catastrophic injuries.
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Otherwise, Golden State in seven.
NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets
Yes, this series is nobody’s pick, but it would be an entertaining one if somehow it came to be.
Imagine Kyrie Irving advancing to the Finals after leaving LeBron James. What would that say about LeBron?
Harden and Paul’s first shot at a title, no way it gets away from them right?
Boston has coaching prodigy Brad Stevens and a crew of drilled and disciplined troops. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have taken the league by storm this season and Irving has proven to be a team player.
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Houston would be the favorites in a series that would feature the league’s best defense against the second-best offense.
Prediction
The Rockets will bring home the title in six with Harden being named Finals MVP.