Lakers’ X-factor vs Rockets in 2020 NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers will meet the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2020 NBA playoffs. Houston defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 and moves on LeBron James and the Lakers big men.

Houston and LA rely on different styles and players. The Lakers’ starting frontline is comprised of big players. Houston plays small ball. Anthony Davis is the best big man in the NBA. JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard only add up to his brilliance. The Rockets went small this season and their approach worked really well. Robert Covington and PJ Tucker started as wing players and now they are at the interior.

Mike D’Antoni led his team to great success despite players’ size. The team won the regular-season series with LA, going 2-1.

The NBA postseason is different. Houston will use the only 7-footer in the lineup to confront the Lakers. Tyson Chandler will sure see more minutes in Round 2. Houston will focus on Davis, leaving Lakers big men free to roll the ball.

The Rockets won’t be that lucky in the 2020 playoffs

The 8-time All-Star center will be the real x-factor for LA in Round 2. Dwight Howard planned to sit out the season resumption. He leveled up his game and showed everyone that he is an effective contributor in the NBA.

Howard averages 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 69 regular-season games. These numbers don’t change the fact that Howard is a major contributor at this point of his career. His interior presence turned LA into the best defensive unit in the NBA for the season. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel puts Howard on the floor in crunch time. Starter McGee sits on the bench.

The veteran will have a chance to score more in the series. He will give the Rockets a big headache especially if he finds a way to put pressure in the interior. Howard was an excellent scorer in the series against Portland despite the presence of Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside.