The Houston Rockets offense has been potent in the playoffs but the key to their matchup against the Warriors will be turnovers, on both sides of the ball.
TheHouston Rocketswere dominant overall in their first-round matchup against the Utah Jazz but in Games 4 and 5 of that series, theRocketslooked vulnerable largely because of the number of turnovers they had.
During the regular season, theRocketswere 6th in the league in turnovers with only 13.3 a game. In their first-round matchup against the Jazz, they averaged more turnovers with 15.2 per game.
We all understand that the Jazz are playing an unconventional defense againstJames Hardenand Co. but the turnover issue is very worrisome because if the Warriors create turnovers and get going, they can turn into a beast offensively.
TheRocketsneed their two Hall of Fame point guards to secure the ball on offense and to make sure they play efficient offense.
When theHouston Rocketsreduce their turnovers, it allows the team to get back and set up their half-court defense. Furthermore, when theRocketscan set up their defense they are dangerous defensively because of the number of turnovers they create every game.
This leads to my next point regarding theRocketsand the key to beating the Warriors… they need to continue to CREATE turnovers.
The Warriors are currently ranked dead last in turnovers with 17 per game in the playoffs. To add to that they were ranked 21st in turnovers during the regular season with 14.3 per game, so this is a reoccurring theme for the Warriors.
More fromHouse of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
The good thing for theRocketsis that their two best players were both in the top 5 in steals during the regular season. Also, the team was ranked 6th in the regular season with 18 points off of turnovers per game, which means they score off of those steals.
TheHouston Rocketshave sustained their defense to quick offense philosophy by averaging 17.5 points off of turnovers per game in their matchup against the Jazz. So they are right on track defensively.
Nonetheless, if theRocketscontinue to turnover the ball as they did in game 4 and 5 against the Warriors, they will suffer the same fate as last year.
TheHouston Rocketsdo not have many advantages against the Warriors, so they must attack any weakness the Warriors may exhibit but they also must make sure they do not fall into the same trap of giving the ball away.
Currently, the Warriors are heading to game six of their series against the Clippers afterLou Williamsand company forced it in game five. You can keep an eye on this series and theHouston Rocketseventual second round opponent when they take the court Friday night at 9:00 pm CT.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations