Houston Rockets

The Rockets are another offensive juggernaut but play a staunchly different style from the Warriors. Last season, the Rockets were the Nuggets’ kryptonite. They lost all three games against Houston, struggling mightily. The Nuggets’ offensive rating plummetted to 102.3 and their defensive rating sat at a grotesque 123.4

Similarly to Minnesota, Gary Harris struggled mightily against Houston, averaging nine points per game shooting 31.3% from the field and 13.3% from three. Houston has lost a few key defensive wings in this offseason but they should be able to find similar production from other players and their principles remain true.

On the other side of the ball, Houston’s offense is equally as dominant as Golden State’s but is a completely different animal. In contrast to the Warriors’ motion heavy scheme, the Rockets run an isolation and pick-and-roll heavy offense, spearheaded by superstar guards James Harden and Chris Paul. The key to containing the Rockets is containing these two, which will be on the backs of Jamal Murray and Gary Harris.

Nikola Jokic will also have his hands full. The Rockets love to use Clint Capela as a roll man and in transition. Last season, his mobility and athleticism gave the slow-footed Jokic fits. He will need to improve his conditioning to contend with the likes of Capela in 2019.