NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors matchup

By Ti Windisch | May 10, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors defends against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on October 17, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on January 20, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. CP3 stays hot

Like James Harden, Chris Paul has had an up-and-down postseason. His overall numbers are strong, but looking past the recency bias of CP3 torching the Jazz in the deciding game of that series Paul has had rough games too.

He’s also played in 10 games this postseason, and failed to hit 40 percent from the field in three of them. It’s unrealistic to expect 41 points on nearly 60 percent field goal shooting and 80 percent 3-point accuracy all series, but again, there is so little margin for error when you’re playing the Warriors. The Rockets need peak CP3.

That involves more than just scoring. On a team with Harden, Capela and a ton of dangerous shooters, Paul’s playmaking is a huge asset. Over the last three games of the Utah series, he posted 22 assists and just one turnover. Not quite coincidentally, Houston won all three of those games.

Even if Paul isn’t dropping 40 or even 30, if he continues to generate that many great looks for his teammates without wasting possessions it will be a huge boost for the Rockets.

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