2019 Playoffs: Warriors @ Rockets Game 3

Houston won but CP3 has to be way more involved (he only took NINE shots), especially late in the 4th where it's too easy for the defense to set and wait for Harden to dribble out most of the clock before taking a very predictable and heavily contested step back 3 or drive into a defense waiting for him. That has been a problem for the rockets during the past 2 seasons at any point in a game, which is why I picked the Warriors to win against them in 2018 and this series. If James makes decisions (to drive) a whole lot quicker more often, he can unlock his other lethal options (passes for 3's, lobs/dunks/layups, and dribble penetration from others after they've been run off the 3 point line) with far more time if Harden doesn't get a quality look. Also, all series Houston has done a fantastic job forcing KD into extremely tough jumpers in single coverage so they should keep doing that to prevent open 3's, from Steph and Klay specifically. So if Durant is hot, it only makes sense to double him if he's playing against a mismatch and hope Golden State misses open shots. The rockets have to live with great defense even if Kevin goes off.

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