LA Clippers

Can the Rockets offset the Clippers' star power?

Published May. 14, 2015 12:14 p.m. ET

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The Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets have four of the NBA's 15 best players; franchise-altering superstars who can take over any playoff series at any moment and make it theirs.

James Harden, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are each so hard to defend, but the winner of this series will be able to do it. Here's more on how Houston's stars can overpower those on the Clippers, courtesy of Bleacher Report's Fred Katz:

"What the Rockets truly need is Patrick Beverley, the ferocious point guard defender who's now out for the season with a wrist injury. Without him, their best chance to stop CP may be putting Trevor Arizaon him during important moments, letting Jason Terry man Matt Barnes in the corner while James Harden runs around screens with J.J. Redick—as scary a proposition as that may be. Sure, it could tire Harden (which is why you don't do it all game). And yeah, Redick could end up bombing from three, but Paul struggles against lengthy defenders like Klay Thompson and DeMarre Carroll.Ariza is of the same breed. And if CP is going well, what other choice does Houston have?"

Stopping All-Star caliber players is nearly impossible, but in order to win Game 6 and force a Game 7, the Rockets need to do their best to at least make Griffin and Paul work for every point, assist and rebound they get.

(h/t: Bleacher Report)

Photo Credit: Screenshot/TNT