It's a good thing Houston knows how to win without Dwight Howard
The Houston Rockets ended the regular season as the Western Conference's two seed despite Dwight Howard missing half the season with a variety of physical issues.
After tearing through the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers with their superstar center looking like his former All-NBA self, Howard injured his knee in Game 1 and is listed as questionable for Game 2.
But even though the playoffs are a completely different animal from the regular season, the fact that Houston knows how to win without Howard's star presence is huge. Here's ESPN's Calvin Watkins with what Rockets forward Josh Smith had to say about Houston's sticky situation:
"We got to come in and there's going to be a lot of long rebounds and long shots taken and guys have to step up and play big and play dominant in the paint. [Howard] has done so much with the physicality with his presence down low in the paint; we have to try to mimic it if not exceed it if he's not out there."
Howard's been the best rebounder in the NBA since the playoffs began. He's flying above the rim, blocking shots, anchoring the defense and adding a different aerial dimension to Houston's offense. Losing him would be huge.
But this is a deep, resilient basketball team that still has plenty of star power and an athletic frontcourt. Winning Game 2 won't be easy if Howard doesn't play, but never count these Rockets out completely.
(h/t: ESPN)
Photo Credit: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports
