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Warriors Playoff Scouting Report: Houston Rockets Forwards

By Andrew Ites

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets and PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets high-five during the game against the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets and PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets high-five during the game against the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Rockets loaded up on versatile wings to help defend the Warriors this offseason. How do they matchup with Golden State’s forwards in this series?

In order to defend the Warriors, you need a crop of elite defenders on the wing that are able to switch on screens and defend positions one through five.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey addressed that need by adding P.J. Tucker and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in free agency. Both of those players have the necessary skill set to match up as well as they possibly can with the Warriors’ wings.

Those additions, along with fellow forward Trevor Ariza and strong defensive performances from Clint Capela and Chris Paul, helped the Rockets improve to number six in the league in defensive efficiency during the regular season.

Another reason why these wings are such a good fit in Houston is their ability to stretch the floor.

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Ariza shot 36.8% from three this season, Tucker shot 37.1%, and Mbah a Moute shot 36.4%.

In this Rockets offense, the Warriors may have to leave one of these players open on the perimeter. Each of them has shown that they’re capable of getting hot and making you pay for bringing extra help to James Harden or Chris Paul.

Ariza, Tucker, and Mbah a Moute will all get a chance at guarding Kevin Durant in this series.

KD was extremely efficient in his two meetings against the Rockets this season with a true shooting percentage of 63.2%, and he was a good facilitator as well dishing out 12 assists in those two games.

Houston’s forwards are going to need to do a better job of slowing him down if they want to win this series, and I don’t know if anyone is capable of stopping KD when he’s fully engaged.

Next: Patrick McCaw Hopes to Return During Playoffs

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