The big question is how quickly will Los Angeles be able to shake off the effects of its prize fight against San Antonio and if Houston is still hot after sitting at home for nearly a week.
MORE: Wizards, Warriors open with wins | Curry to get MVP honor | PHOTOS: Second round of playoffs
Schedule/TV (All times Eastern)
Game 1 — May 4, at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT Game 2 — May 6, at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT Game 3 — May 8, at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM, ESPN Game 4 — May 10, at L.A. Clippers, 8:30 PM, TNT *Game 5 — May 12, at Houston, TBD, TNT *Game 6 — May 14, at L.A. Clippers, TBD, ESPN *Game 7 — May 17, at Houston, TBD, TBD
- If necessary
Season series: Tied 2-2
Key players: James Harden was an MVP runner-up this season, but the story of the first round for Houston was the play off Dwight Howard and Josh Smith. Howard’s first-round numbers (16.6 points and 13.8 rebounds per game) were both up from the regular season. Smith was perhaps the key player in the series against Dallas, averaging 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting just under 52 percent.
For the Clippers, it starts and ends with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Paul and Griffin both upped their scoring averages in the first round, and the Clippers needed every one of them.
Injuries: Paul’s hamstring injury could decide this series. He played heroically after injuring it in Game 7 on Saturday, but will that hold up over a six- or seven-game series?
Prediction: Rockets in 6
