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Houston Rockets: 5 Keys to Climbing Out of 0-2 Hole

By Maxwell Ogden

May 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale speaks to forward Josh Smith (5) during the second half in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale speaks to forward Josh Smith (5) during the second half in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) before playing against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) before playing against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Continue to Ride James Harden

After Game 2 of the Houston Rockets’ first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, there was a very rational belief that James Harden couldn’t handle the pressure. He’d shot below 40 percent from the field in 13 of his previous 19 postseason games.

In the Western Conference Finals, all of those concerns have been squashed.

Harden has been huge during the 2015 NBA Playoffs, shining with a pair of tremendous performances against the Golden State Warriors. A victory is still elusive, but the Rockets shouldn’t shy away from The Bearded One now.

If any player can lead them to a comeback, it’s Harden.

Harden torched Golden State’s rotation of All-Defense shooting guards for 38 points , 10 rebounds, nine assists, three steals on a block on 13-of-21 shooting in Game 2. In Game 1, he had 28 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals on 11-of-20 shooting.

Ball movement needs to improve for Houston, but the only chance it has of winning this series is if Harden continues to do what he’s doing.

Next: Kobe Bryant may retire after the 2015-16 NBA season

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