NBA Playoffs: Must-read storylines between the Rockets vs Lakers

Key Matchup: Anthony Davis vs Rockets “bigs”

In the first round, the small-ball Rockets did an excellent job limiting the 7-foot Steven Adams’ production offensively as well as exploiting his lack of quickness defensively, but Anthony Davis is a completely different beast.

The 6’10” Davis represents the new generation of bigs who not only wreak havoc in the paint but are also shooting threats. In the regular season, Davis averaged 26.1 points, shooting 33 percent from 3-point range, and 9.3 rebounds but he has been even more efficient scoring in the bubble. In the Lakers’ first-round series win over the Trail Blazers, Davis averaged 29.8 points on 57.3 percent shooting from the field, including shooting 38.9 percent from deep.

Keeping Davis in check will require a team effort from Houston since they do not have a true big man. The Rockets switch on almost everything defensively as a way of staying in front of the ball in order to prevent their opponent from exploiting their lack of size which means that a wide variety of players including P.J. Tucker, Robert Covington, Jeff Green, and even James Harden will have to guard Davis throughout the series.

Not only will the Rockets have to worry about Davis’ scoring, but they also have to worry about keeping him from dominating the offensive glass. The Rockets can not afford to allow Davis, who is averaging three offensive boards per game in the playoffs, to consistently create second chances for the Lakers because Los Angeles has too many weapons offensively and will make Houston pay if they are given multiple opportunities to score.