Through four games of the second round matchup with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, we're dead even. Both teams showing their dominance in different ways have them locked at two wins apiece. In game 5, the Rockets will head back to San Antonio in a must-win game. tip-off will be at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. In game 4, the Rockets thrashed the Spurs in a game that the Rockets' shooters caught fire. James Harden had 28 points and 12 assists.
San Antonio Keys
First and foremost, the Spurs have to play close on shooters. The Rockets lit it up for 19 threes in game 4, and part of that is the amount of space the shooters had.
The Spurs need to tighten this up and allow a bit more dribble penetration instead of open shots. In games 2 and 3 they let Kawhi man up against Harden, and it really paid off for them. It will be pivotal to try and go back to that gameplan.
Offensively, the Spurs need production from Kawhi and LaMarcus Aldridge. Both of their stars combined for just 32 points in game 4. They have to be aggressive and ready to go to work in game 5. The Rockets have a better supporting cast at scoring the ball but if Kawhi and Aldridge get a rhythm going they can match the efficiency.
Lastly, dictating space will be huge in this series. The Rockets want to play fast and the Spurs don't. San Antonio needs to choose when they want to run in transition or if they want to slow it down.
The better they have a grasp on the flow of the game, the better their chances are at winning.
Houston Keys
First for the Rockets is their defense on Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has been automatic for the most part of these playoffs, and it is crucial that the Rockets try to make him pass it off to another teammate. If they can win little battles like that per possession, it puts them in a great spot to win the game.
Offensively, James Harden has to keep trusting his cast around him. They were brought in for a reason and that reason was to space the floor and shoot. They showed they can do that well in games 1 and 4, and now it's time for them to step up and do it again in game 5.
Houston needs to speed the game up to an uncomfortable level for San Antonio.
They need to make guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Manu Ginobli, and Pau Gasol be in a race up and down the floor. The Rockets will still get open looks they are used to, but the Spurs won't be able to keep up with that speed.
Flow and efficiency will be key for both teams. If the Rockets can shoot the same percentages that they did in games 1 and 4, they are in great shape.
