Three reasons the Houston Rockets will make the NBA Finals

With the Houston Rockets returning to action July 31, it’s the official restart to the NBA season, but also the start of a Rockets NBA Finals run.

Finally, Houston Rockets basketball is back, and it feels quite interesting. Basketball being played in the late months of summer to early fall, with no real crowd in attendance, might be somewhat difficult to get used to.

But, by the looks of the first couple of scrimmages, it’s safe to say things are looking good for James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the crew. The same group of guys, I believe, will make the NBA Finals this year.

Now, I understand, the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers still exist, as well as the Denver Nuggets, but let’s revisit how the Rockets have fared against each team in the 2019-20 season. The Rockets went 1-1 against the Lakers, who hold the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Rockets’ small-ball approach proved to be too difficult for the Lakers to slow down, as the Rockets won the most recent matchup against the Lakers 121-111. The Rockets also went 2-2 against the Clippers, and even defeated them with Russell Westbrook sitting, in favor of load management.

The Rockets also went 2-2 against the Nuggets, who went 43-22 before the league’s stoppage, which was good for third-best in the Western Conference. The Rockets’ performances against the top teams in the West can’t be ignored, as the West is regarded as the elite conference in the NBA.

In addition to that, there are three reasons why I believe the Houston Rockets will outlast the juggernauts in the West, to cruise to their first NBA Finals since 1995.

Next: No. 3