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Poll: Houston Rockets Vs. Golden State Warriors

May 9th, 2018 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

While the Western Conference playoffs generated some drama in the first couple rounds, the Conference Finals matchup is the one we’ve all anticipated for months. After the Rockets eliminated the Jazz on Tuesday night, and the Warriors followed suit by dispatching the Pelicans, Houston and Golden State are set to meet in the WCF, with the series tipping off on Monday.

The Warriors, who were a single victory away from having won the last three NBA championships, have to be considered the favorites to keep winning titles until someone stops them. However, many fans and league observers believe Houston can be that team.

The Rockets claimed the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this season, finishing seven games ahead of the No. 2 Warriors with a 65-17 record. Houston was virtually unstoppable when James Harden, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela suited up together — the Rockets only lost three regular-season contests when the trio played, so the Warriors will have to top that number in a seven-game series in order to eliminate the West’s top seed.

Despite the Rockets’ incredible regular season run and their home court advantage though, Las Vegas oddsmakers still favor the defending champions. As David Purdum of ESPN details, the Westgate SuperBook in Vegas has made the Warriors the initial favorites, and early bets have leaned in Golden State’s direction. With Stephen Curry now back in the lineup, joining Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, that’s not entirely surprising.

This will be a fascinating series, one that could end up being more compelling than the actual NBA Finals. The Rockets have built their roster in recent years with an eye toward knocking off the Warriors, and they’ll have their best chance yet in this series. Still, Mike D’Antoni, Harden, and Paul have fallen short in the postseason in the past, and to reach the Finals this year, they’ll have to defeat a potential dynasty.

What do you think? Which team do you expect to represent the West in the NBA Finals this spring? Place your vote, then jump into the comment section below to discuss the series.

Which team will win the Western Conference Finals?

Golden State Warriors 63.30% (1,128 votes)

Houston Rockets 36.70% (654 votes)

Total Votes: 1,782

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Can Capela Develop Into An All-Star?

May 7th, 2018 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest mailbag for ESPN.com, Kevin Pelton takes a closer look at Clint Capela‘s continued improvement, exploring whether the Rockets center has a chance to develop into an All-Star. Re-signing Capela as a restricted free agent will be a top priority for Houston this offseason.

Clint Capela Has Earned Trust Of James Harden

May 4th, 2018 at 1:04pm CST by Austin Kent

For the fourth consecutive season, Clint Capela has rounded out his game. Now the 23-year-old plays a pivotal role for the contending Rockets and has established a foundation of trust with teammate James Harden, Tim MacMahon of ESPN documents the big man’s rise ahead of his pending free agency.

Luc Mbah a Moute Hopes To Be Ready For Game 1

April 29th, 2018 at 9:51am CST by Arthur Hill

After missing the Rockets‘ first playoff series with a dislocated right shoulder, Luc Mbah a Moute hopes to be ready today when his team opens the Western Conference semifinals against the Jazz, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. On Saturday, Mbah a Moute went through his first full practice since the injury and believes he will be able to play.

Officially listed as questionable, Mbah a Moute has been an impact player since coming to Houston in free agency last summer. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game and has the best defensive numbers among the Rockets’ rotation players.

The Mavericks could be indirect beneficiaries of LeBron James‘ free agency, suggests Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. No matter where James ends up, a team will likely have to unload a significant salary, which Dallas is in position to absorb. The Mavericks could wind up with Clint Capela from the Rockets, Robert Covington from the Sixers or Julius Randle from the Lakers, or if James stays in Cleveland, Dallas could pursue Pelicans free agent DeMarcus Cousins.

Luc Mbah a Moute Likely To Miss Second-Round Opener

April 27th, 2018 at 5:51pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Rockets had hoped to get Luc Mbah a Moute back for the start of their second-round series, but it appears that won’t happen, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Sidelined by a dislocated shoulder, Mbah a Moute won’t be re-evaluated until next week, although he was able to participate in the non-contact part of today’s practice, said coach Mike D’Antoni.

Gerald Green's Journey To Rockets

April 26th, 2018 at 6:24pm CST by marksuleymanov

Gerald Green‘s 2017/18 season changed drastically as he went from unemployed – cut by the Bucks after four preseason games – to joining the Rockets, a team he grew up rooting for. As the Rockets await their next challenge in the second round, Green is thrilled to be back in Houston and helping the team, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon writes.

“When I signed with the Rockets, I just kind of felt like that was my calling card,” Green said. “I’m going to be here. I want to help out. “I’m going to continue to keep putting [effort] in and keep helping out as many people as I can using this platform. I like to be able to do that. I like to see smiles [from the people] that you can help out. And right now, the city is still in need. It’s almost been a year, and it’s not back the same.”

Green became a lethal force off the bench, averaging 12.1 PPG and shooting from beyond the arc at a near 37% clip in 41 games. The 11-year NBA veteran continued being a helping hand for Houston against the Timberwolves, a series which the Rockets won in five games.

Mbah a Moute Could Return Next Week

April 24th, 2018 at 6:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute is officially out of the first round but coach Mike D’Antoni hinted Mbah a Moute could return if Houston advances to the conference semifinals, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mbah a Moute has been out since April 10th after dislocating his right shoulder for the second time this season. He began shooting during the weekend and will be reevaluated next week. Even if the Rockets-Timberwolves series goes the full seven games, it will end on Sunday.

Mbah a Moute missed nearly a month of action of suffering a dislocation in mid-December but appears to be making quicker progress the second time around, Feigen adds.

“It’s still too early to put a timetable on it, yet,” D’ Antoni said. “Next week, he’ll be re-evaluated. I think he’ll be real close next week, but I don’t know that for sure.”

The defensive specialist appeared in 61 games and averaged 7.5 PPG and 3.0 RPG in 25.6 MPG during his first season with Houston.

Capela Has Become Team's X Factor

April 22nd, 2018 at 4:54pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Clint Capela‘s value to the Rockets hasn’t gone unnoticed and should lead to a lucrative offseason for the impending restricted free agent, as Stefano Fusaro of The Undefeated notes. Houston went 42-3 this season when Capela, Chris Paul and James Harden were all in the lineup, and Paul told Fusaro it’s no coincidence. “Y’all know the record when we all play together, and I’ll tell you it’s not because of me and James,” Paul said. “Clint is really the X factor. He opens up so much for us.”

Luc Mbah a Moute Making Progress

April 18th, 2018 at 9:54pm CST by Arthur Hill

Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute is healing quickly after dislocating his shoulder late in the season, relays Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Mbah a Moute hinted that he might be able to play against Minnesota if the first-round series lasts long enough. “I wouldn’t say ‘no.’ But I also want to be smart and do the right thing,” he said. “It’s feeling better. Continue to do the rehab, get the strength back and see what happens.”

Ryan Anderson Still Unsure Of Game 2 Status

April 17th, 2018 at 2:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Rockets forward Ryan Anderson is on the practice court today for the first time since spraining his ankle, tweets Jerry Zgoda of The Star-Tribune. Anderson, who missed the final four games of the regular season and the playoff opener against the Timberwolves, said the ankle remains swollen and he’ll see how it responds before deciding if he can play tomorrow. “It’s one more shooter that you would have on the floor,” coach Mike D’Antoni said to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle about getting Anderson back. “If a couple guys aren’t going well, we have another guy to go to. It gives us a lot better chance.”