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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 4: Draymond Green #23, Kevin Durant #35, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. How will the Hamptons 5 fare?

Steve Kerr sure loves not playing his best lineups that often. It was downright shocking when Kerr decided to start the so-called Hamptons 5 against the New Orleans Pelicans, despite the lineup of Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green having an obviously high ceiling.

That lineup only started playing in the Pelicans series this postseason, because Curry was out for the entirety of the first round. In the 54 minutes the Hamptons 5 played together, they blitzed New Orleans by 40.9 points per 100 possessions.

It probably goes without saying that if the Hamptons 5 lineup is that effective against Houston, the series is over. The Rockets are much better equipped to handle that small, unconventional lineup. Houston can go small, and even with Capela on the floor the Rockets should be able to prevent Golden State from having that much success.

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Considering how little the Warriors actually have used that lineup in the past, it will be interesting to see how it fares in this series. Considering that their Death Lineup with Harrison Barnes in place of KD led to 73-wins in a season, the Warriors should continue to do quite well with the Hamptons 5. Containing it, somehow, will be essential to the Rockets.

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