NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Spurs vs. Rockets matchup
The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Here are five keys for this matchup.
The Houston Rockets, led by MVP-candidate James Harden are riding high after disposing of the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. On the other hand, the San Antonio Spurs had to grind it out against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing them off in six games difficult games.
The entire state of Texas is excited for this matchup — sorry Dallas, you have Dak and Zeke — between the Rockets and Spurs. During the season, the Spurs did take three of four from the Rockets, but the largest margin of victory for either team was only six points.
Most fans will remember the way the last game ended between the Rockets-Spurs, with Leonard drilling a 3-pointer and then blocking Harden on the other end to seal the deal. All of these games will be probably come down to the wire, with the ball in the hands of each team’s superstar.
Which team will deliver? Will it be the offensive-minded, 3-point firing Rockets or the well-oiled machine in the San Antonio Spurs?
Let’s take a look at five keys for both teams to see what it’ll take for them to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
5. The Beard vs. The Klaw
In the NBA, when a team is trying to play into June, it’s all about the performance of their superstars and how far they can carry their teams.
This Western Conference Semifinal will feature two MVP candidates, both who will likely finish behind MVP-favorite Russell Westbrook. Although James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are spectacular at what they do, the way they operate is polar opposite.
Harden is an offensive juggernaut, looking to be a primarily ball-handler, scorer and facilitator. Leonard is the best two-way player in the game, and he’s improved his offensive game to go along with his two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
This may be obvious, but the winner of this series will be determined by which of these players has a bigger positive impact on their team. Harden will have to control the game for Houston, while Leonard will need to be efficient offensively and check Harden on the defensive end as well.
In the four games against San Antonio, Harden has put up eye-popping numbers, averaging 29.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game on 47 percent shooting. His 3-point shooting was significantly down against the Spurs, only hitting 10-of-34 total from beyond the arc.
Leonard is averaging 28.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game against the Rockets this season. Surprisingly, the Spurs are a minus-11 when Kawhi Leonard is on the court this season against Houston.
But in the playoffs so far, it’s been a vastly different story. as Harden’s rebounding and assisting numbers are down to 6.4 and 7.0 per game, respectively. His 3-point shooting has been awful, making only 24 percent of his attempts. In the first round, the Klaw has been extremely efficient, shooting 54 percent from the field and 48 percent from long-range.
If Harden is able to control the pace of the game, facilitate the ball and fill up the stat sheet the Rockets might be advancing to the next round. But if Leonard is ultra-efficient and can slow down Harden just a bit, the Spurs will win this series.