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

Key Question No 2: Which version of Russell Westbrook shows up?

After missing the first four games of the Rockets first-round series due to a quad injury, Russell Westbrook returned to action for the final three games but showed many signs of rust.

In Game 5, Westbrook struggled to find his shot, going 3-of-13 from the field. In Game 6, Westbrook was a turnover machine and one of his seven turnovers ended up costing Houston a chance to tie or win the game. In that Game 6, Westbrook appeared more like his normal self, scoring 20 points on 45 percent shooting from the field and pulling down nine rebounds, but struggled to make shots down the stretch.

So the big question is which version of Westbrook shows up against the Lakers? Is it the turnover machine version of Westbrook from Game 6 or the All-Star triple-double machine version of Westbrook?

The Rockets cannot afford a different version of Westbrook to show up against Los Angeles. Houston needs the Westbrook who scored 20 or more points in 36 straight games at one point in the season. They need the man who averaged a triple-double in three consecutive seasons.

The good news for the Rockets is that Westbrook has had success against the Lakers this season. In the two games Westbrook has played against Los Angeles he has averaged 38 points on 62.7 percent shooting, six assists, and nine rebounds. This is only a small sample size and Westbrook likely will not average 38 points a game over the course of a seven-game series, but it does show that he has the capability to be extremely effective against the Lakers.

The Rockets were able to get past the Thunder without having Westbrook for the first four games of the series but they need Westbrook to perform at a high level to have a chance against the top-seeded Lakers.