NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Rockets vs. Thunder matchup

2. James Harden

Let’s face it. While the factors I’ve mentioned already are extremely important to the outcome of this series, the main focus will be on two men: Russell Westbrook (whom I’ll get to in just a minute) and James Harden. Transitioning to point guard this season, Harden has turned into one of the biggest threats in the NBA. And while he has a great supporting cast around him and a strong bench, the Rockets will only be a threat in these playoffs if Harden continues his stellar play. Boasting season averages of 29.1 points per game, good for second in the league behind only Russell Westbrook, a league-leading 11.2 assists per night and 8.1 rebounds a contest, The Beard can hurt you in so many different ways. As he comes down the floor, you just don’t know what he’s going to do. Is he going to just pull up and shoot a long 3-pointer? Is he going to drive to the basket and find a player spotting up on the wing? Is he going to magically find Clint Capela or Nene down low?

As for his performances against the Thunder this year, he’s been pretty solid, putting up 20.5 points, 12.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds but my guess is that his point total will probably be a little bit higher during this series. He’ll likely want to come out and prove that he is the true MVP of the league and dropping a 50-point night on his former team wouldn’t surprise anyone. However, it likely won’t be Westbrook guarding him — that job will probably go to Andre Roberson, who doesn’t do much on the offensive side but could give Harden a few fits as this series moves along. But if that happens, Harden has so many weapons around him that he may not need to put up the big scoring totals. We’ll see how things shake out in Game 1 on Sunday night.