5 reasons the Houston Rockets can win the NBA Championship

By Ian Levy | Apr 4, 2019

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 30: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets greets fans on the way to the locker room after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center on March 30, 2019 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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The Houston Rockets season got off to a rocky start but they’re rounding into form as the playoffs start. Here’s why they can accomplish what they couldn’t last season, and win it all.

The Rockets were a hamstring injury and a few 3-point misses away from a berth in the Finals last season, and a chance to win a title. It hasn’t been an easy season but the pieces are still in place for them to get farther than they did last year. Here’s why the Rockets could still win it all.

5. They’re making the defense work

A jump in defensive efficiency is what took the Rockets from good to great last season and the loss of Mbah A Moute and Ariza seemed like it might be an unsolvable problem earlier in the season. The Rockets are currently tanked just 20th in defensive efficiency, surrendering an average of 110.5 points per 100 possessions. However, if you filter to Jan. 27 on, when Paul returned to the rotation, those numbers improve to fifth and 107.6, respectively.

They are not as capable a defense as they were last season but they’re not nearly as vulnerable as they appeared early in the season either. With their elite offense, just being good at the other end might be enough.

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