5 Questions Ahead Of Mavs-Rockets Series
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- You would expect there to be a huge divide between the No. 2 and No. 7 seeds in the NBA playoffs. But in the wildly competitive Western Conference, that's simply not true.
While Houston won three of four games against Dallas this season, the overall difference was minimal -- four points.
Here are five burning questions that could determine the outcome of the first-round series.
1. Will Rondo Improve In Playoffs?
Point guard Rajon Rondo can walk after the season -- and Dallas may let him.
That is, unless Rondo and the Mavs come together and put together a special run this postseason.
Rumors suggest Rondo plays better when he's motivated. If he cares about helping Dallas win -- and maximizing his offseason earnings -- he'll come up big.
2. Is Chandler Parsons Healthy?
Parsons' health could be the key to the series. The former Rockets forward has missed six straight games with a sore right knee.
Dallas won four of six in his absence, but there's no question -- they are a better team with their small forward on the court.
While he's optimistic that he'll be ready for Saturday, just how healthy will he be?
The answer to this question could be critical.
FRIDAY UPDATE...
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3. Is Kevin McHale A Good Coach?
When ESPN ranked each of the 30 head coaches this season, Rick Carlisle came in at No. 4. That's respectable -- if not elite.
How did Kevin McHale rank? 14.
The Hall of Fame inductee has reached the playoffs with Houston in each of the past two seasons. The Rockets have failed to win a series on both occasions.
But McHale did lead the Rockets to 56 wins -- the franchise's most since 1996-97. Could a playoff series win follow? His job may depend on it...
4. Does Dirk Still Have It?
Statistics suggest that Dirk Nowitzki began his decline this season.
Only in his rookie season did he average fewer points, rebounds, and assists. But could Rick Carlisle be taking a page out of Gregg Popovich's book?
A rested Dirk Nowitzki averaged under 30 minutes per game for the first time since 1998-99. As a result, he enjoyed his best month of the season in April, averaging 19.0 points on 50-percent shooting.
If Nowitzki can flip the "switch" to elevate his play even further in the playoffs, the Mavs could be tough to beat. But is there one?
5. James Harden: Playoff Stud or Dud?
On the surface, James Harden has enjoyed personal success in the playoffs in two seasons in Houston.
26.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG -- not bad.
But frankly, he's been wildly inefficient.
Last year, he averaged 22.2 shots per game, converting just 37.6 percent. The year before -- 39.1 percent shooting on 19.2 shots per game. He's also turned the ball over 4.0 times per game.
Volume shooters have off-nights. Or could there be more to Harden's playoff performances?
In a more limited role, he was efficient in Oklahoma City. As the lead dog...not so much.
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