The Houston Rockets are currently fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference and they figure to be a tough out come playoff time. They just rattled off four straight road victories and appear poised for the stretch run.
While they do not feature any superstar-caliber players, they have a host of quality pieces and coach Kevin McHale has energized this group.
For them to make noise down the stretch and into the playoffs, what are the keys?
Here are 10 keys that hold major significance for the climax of Houston's season.
First Things First: Make the Playoffs
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Let's not get ahead of ourselves and simply assume the Rockets are going to make the playoffs.
While Houston has moved up in the seeding as of late, there remain a logjam of teams vying for spots. Much could still happen before the regular season concludes.
There's reason for Houston fans to be optimistic about its playoff chances, but it's not a lock at this point.Â
Therefore, the first major key is the biggest and most obvious one: make the playoffs.
Health
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As with any team come playoff time, health is as important as anything.
The Rockets just received back point guard Kyle Lowry but they're still without leading scorer Kevin Martin.
Martin has been out with a strained right shoulder and the timetable for his return appears uncertain.
It's safe to say the Rockets could surely use their leading scorer for the playoffs. They've produced effectively without him lately, but come playoff time, they will need his scoring capabilities to give them a jolt.
Trust Coach Kevin McHale
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Kevin McHale has ignited this Rocket bunch with an old-school tenacity. They've fed off this and have surprised some by being in playoff contention.
They'd be downright foolish to deviate from McHale's schemes come playoff time. This happens occasionally when teams make the playoffs. They lose sight of what got them there and begin trying to make extravagant, unthinkable plays.
McHale knows from experience (three championships with the Celtics in the 1980s) what it takes to win in the postseason. Therefore, they must heed his criticism and allow his tutelage to sharpen them as they head into the playoffs.
The Young Guns Must Prove Themselves
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The Rockets boast a handful of young contributors, such as Chandler Parsons, Goran Dragic, Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson and Courtney Lee (Lee remains young despite possessing NBA Finals experience with Orlando in 2009).
Can these guys embrace crucial roles come playoff time?
A pivotal member of this bunch is Parsons, who is receiving loads of minutes and figures to be a instrumental piece to Houston's run in the playoffs.
Can Parsons (or a different one of these young guns) make a name for themselves in the playoffs? Or will the abundance of young players on Houston's roster lead to its playoff demise?
Luis Scola Needs to Play Like an All-Star
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For the Rockets to pull off a playoff shocker and beat a team like Oklahoma City, San Antonio or the L.A. Lakers, big man Luis Scola is going to need to play big.
Quite frankly, he's going to need to play outside his mind.
Scola will need a breakout performance that beckons him to be mentioned in the game's top tier of big men.
He's proven to be a potent weapon in the low post, but he'll need to carry Houston (much like Zach Randolph did last year when eighth-seeded Memphis shocked San Antonio) if its going to make substantial playoff noise.
An Unsung Hero Must Emerge
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Successful playoff teams typically have an unsung hero who emerges at the right time.
For Dallas last year, it was J.J. Barea.
Somebody like this must step forward and provide unexpected but critical contributions.
Could Goran Dragic have a coming-out party? I could see it.
How about Courtney Lee on both ends of the floor? That's another possibility.
Whatever the case, an unsung hero must sprout to life and prove to be an X-factor.
Superb Point Guard Play
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The point guard play of Lowry and Dragic will be pivotal for the Rockets' success.
For one, it's the point guard position and they are the floor generals. It's an important position at any stage and against any team.
But in the playoffs, point guards must be especially responsible and crafty. Lowry and Dragic must exemplify that they can handle the playoff stage.
What's more, they'll likely be matched up in the first round against the Thunder's Russell Westbrook or the Spurs' Tony Parker. Can they handle such a matchup?
If the point guard play is superb, the Rockets have a chance at doing some major damage, but Lowry and Dragic could potentially show signs of inexperience when matched up against elite guards.
Veteran Play of Marcus Camby
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The Rockets acquired veteran center Marcus Camby at the trade deadline to bolster their front line.Â
So far, this looks like it was a wise move. Camby's pieced together some impressive outings as of late.
Can Camby prove to be their veteran leader and defensive force in the paint come the playoffs? This is a key component to how well the Rockets fare in the playoffs. Camby's impressed lately and it must now carry into the postseason.
Avoid the Thunder
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As mentioned previously, the Rockets are likely going to draw the Thunder, Spurs or Lakers with their first-round matchup. Quite frankly, it's fair to say, "pick your poison."
These are all difficult opponents and it will be challenging for Houston to escape the first round. But which of these matchups is the most favorable?
This season, they're 2-2 against all three of these squads, which makes it difficult to discern who the best matchup is.
Despite the couple victories over the Thunder, they must be avoided. They're too young and powerful.Â
The Spurs and Lakers, on the other hand, are a different story. Both are older and could wear down come playoff time. I mean, San Antonio flopped in the first round last year and the Lakers were embarrassed in last year's second round. Perhaps the Rockets will give one of these squads an early exit again this year.
Steal Game 1 or 2 on the Road
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For the Rockets to pull of an early-round upset, stealing Game 1 or 2 on the road is vital.Â
Stealing an early game totally alters the momentum of the series. If the Rockets can make a statement with an early-round victory, they put themselves in position to pull the shocker.
All of these are crucial keys to the Rockets' playoff success, but this last one might be the most important. Since the Rockets are almost surely going to be playing on the road, winning an early game is foundational.
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