The Houston Rockets play as they could beat anybody



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Repeat after me: the Rockets could upset the Warriors. You have already heard this feeling. This season, last season, the one before. From podcasts, from your uncle to Houston, from your own inner monologue. "The Rockets could defeat the warriors" is an opinion that stands between brave and stupid – what is called a catch – protected by a choice of words; they could beat Golden State, just like Kobe Bryant could train the Lakers or Zion Williamson could is still a year at Duke.

See, Houston has already made fools of men. The burned. Once, the legend tells, 27 times more. But if you are looking for the certainty of placing yourself in the Rockets, and in the idea that they could Be champions soon, cherish this image of their victory from 118 to 98 against the Jazz, against the Jazz, Wednesday. A shot that followed James Harden literally rocked his defender:

An image breaks a thousand pegs. And the video is very good too.

Although it happened two minutes after the start of the match (thoughts and prayers to Ricky Rubio, whose life was spared only because Harden's shot had not returned), Harden alone later felt lonely to symbolize the place occupied by Houston in the West until the conclusion of Match 2. Denver and San Antonio have both lost one; Utah and Oklahoma City are down two; Portland, although more convincing than ever thanks to two victories, is still not at the level of the Houston threat. And Golden State, well, Golden State lost a 31-point lead, the biggest in playoff history, against Los Angeles on Monday.

But the background of a historic Warrior defeat is not really necessary for total Rocket confidence. Of course, this helps the Houston case, as does Harden, who scored the third triple doubles of his career in the playoffs (32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists), or the three three of PJ Tucker and the three blocks of Clint Capela , a victory of 20 points. Although Chris Paul's shot did not fall, and all the rockets that had accumulated more than 11 minutes reached the finish line on Wednesday. The Rockets have eliminated the last post-season game of the Jazz, as it looks like they will be in the playoffs soon, but on more difficult terms. They lost that match 2 at home. This time, no intensity was lost. Houston does not seem as likely to play high or low against an opponent with Harden, who seems more inclined to play other than in his mind. Utah has never been close; by the end of the first quarter, the Rockets had 39 points, the Jazz 19 and Harden 17 (it should be noted that Utah's defensive strategy – a strategy used by Milwaukee this season – could have helped Harden more than that did not limit him in order to dissuade Harden from going to the left, the defense basically gave the MVP title an open look to the right, which he easily turned into floaters and lobs.This did not work in the first match and, without surprise, not in match 2, either.)

Keeping turn 1 as short as possible is better for the Rockets for reasons other than staying focused. If they advance, and if the Warriors beat the Clippers, a rematch between the Western Conference and the final between the two will take place on the second day. Eliminations such as games 1 and 2 against the Jazz will keep costs low in Houston: Harden played 33 minutes in both games, while the CP3, subject to injury, on average even less. For the Rockets, the gap between could and will than ever before.

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