There’s only been one team hotter than the Utah Jazz since the All-Star break: the Houston Rockets. Through a series of unlikely events, the two teams face each other in the first round.
Early in the season, the Rockets looked vulnerable. They started the season 11-14. Chris Paul looked to have significantly slowed, Eric Gordon couldn’t make a shot, Carmelo Anthony was so bad that the team moved him after only 10 games, and injuries hit hard in the season, taking out Paul, center Clint Capela and others for significant chunks of time.
That’s when James Harden stepped up, carrying the Rockets.