2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
Now that the regular season has ended, we’ve switched into playoff mode here at Friendly Bounce. To kick off our coverage, we’re bringing you some unique previews of every series. You’ll find a #10WordRecap of each team’s season, a recap of their season using emojis, important Vines, and reasons why they will, and won’t, win their first-round matchup.
Houston Rockets (2): By Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone)
#10WordRecap
Harden’s MVP level season carried a battered bunch to glory.
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
James Harden ONIONS
James Harden cram session
Josh Smith poster
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Rockets will win because…
Nothing has been easy for the Houston Rockets this season. Between injuries to Dwight, Howard, Donatas Motiejunas, Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones, the Houston rotation has changed almost nightly. Except for one spot. James Harden has been the one constant all season long, cooking his way towards a top two MVP finish and carrying the Rockets into the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Mavericks, Harden is still around and the Rockets will win this series because of it. The Beard will earn his way to the foul line consistently and carve up a bad Mavs defense. At the end of the day having the best players is a big part of winning playoff series and the Rockets have a guy who has been one of the league’s three best players this year. That should be the difference.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Rockets will lose because…
There is nothing quite like injuries to cripple a team’s postseason journey and the Rockets have a ton of those.With Beverley and Motiejunas out for the season the Rockets are already missing two starters who were having good years. All it takes is one more injury to happen in what is sure to be a physical battle and the Rockets will be doomed.
Even without injuries though, there are ways to see the Rockets struggling. If Harden is unable to get to the line as often as he has all regular season, the Rockets offense could bog down into a bunch of ugly isolations. If that happens and the struggles start, can a Rockets team that has had no real continuity this season get enough stops when the pressure is on? That remains to be seen.
Dallas Mavericks (7): By Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall)
#10WordRecap
New faces made the season strange. But awesome, Dirk remains.
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
Dirk dunking and celebrating
Rondo’s over-the-head pass
Rondo’s patented fake
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Mavericks will win because…
It really doesn’t matter what seed you are; if you made the Playoffs out West, you can play. Just look at the talent on this Mavericks squad: Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons, Monta Ellis, Rajon Rondo, Tyson Chandler. If Rondo elevates his play as he’s been known to do in the postseason and Dirk, Chandler, and Monta play to the level they’re capable of, it doesn’t matter what seed they are or who they play, this Mavericks team will be extremely difficult to beat. Rick Carlisle may call on Rondo to defend Harden, and if Rondo’s length and tenacity start to frustrate the lefty, it could be a long series for the Rockets.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Mavericks will lose because…
Yes the Rockets are missing two key players in Patrick Beverley and Donatas Motiejunas, but Dwight Howard is back, and James Harden is playing out of his mind. Even though the Mavericks are a talented bunch, it often comes down to who has the best player on the court, and that would be the Rockets. James Harden is a maestro on the offensive end, his herky-jerky game frustrating defenders, getting them off-balance just enough that he can either rise up and fire a three, or drive around them to the basket. He’s elevated his game to another level this season, and just as he’s done the last few months of the season, he won’t let Houston lose.