Examining The Playoff Aspirations Of The Houston Rockets

Playoff Picture: Houston Rockets

By Luke Duffy | Apr 7, 2015

Feb 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) ,center Dwight Howard (12) forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard Jason Terry (31) celebrate against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 113 to 102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) guard Jason Terry (31) and guard Corey Brewer (33) celebrate during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

For the Houston Rockets, this year has been a difficult one to describe. On one hand, they’ve played much of the season without their second-best player in center Dwight Howard. On the other hand though, they’ve played extremely well, certain to finish in a top-three spot in the tough Western Conference.

Their supporting players would appear, on paper at least, to tick a lot of the boxes required for a deep playoff run as well. In James Harden, they have the potential MVP of the league, and an offensive specimen. Some may say this team can be boring to watch at times, but they know how to win games and play to their strengths, and will be a dangerous matchup for anybody come playoff time.

Is anything keeping the @HoustonRockets from being a legit Finals contender?http://t.co/J0XlpNDFO0 #InsidetheNBA pic.twitter.com/hxxeGbs1KW
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) April 3, 2015

Trying to figure out how they’ll do when the playoffs begin is among the trickiest of assignments here. They went home in the first round last season, but made the necessary changes so that it (hopefully) wouldn’t happen again. Certain matchups may work against them though.

Next: Fear The Beard!

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