1. Robert Covington
Playoff Averages: 13 PTS, 5.7 TRB 2.4 STL, 1.6, BLK, 50 FG%, 50 3P%
The Houston Rockets are at the top of the league in almost every team defensive statistic after round one, and Robert Covington is a huge reason why. He has been a great addition to the Rockets since being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves back in February.
Without Robert Covington’s hot shooting and stellar defense, the Rockets would not have made it past the Thunder in the first round. He came up huge in game seven on Wednesday night putting up 21 points, 10 rebounds, 6 three-pointers, and 3 blocks/steals a piece.
Ever since coming to the Rockets, he has been their starting “center”, sharing the position with forward P.J. Tucker. The Rockets’ 5-out offense could prove to be a challenge for the Lakers, who run a tradition 2 big man starting lineup with JaVale McGee and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers played solid perimeter defense in the first round, but they will need to step it up to another level to defend a Houston team who loves to throw up 50+ three-pointers a night. Covington will likely be matched up against LeBron James or Anthony Davis when they play the Lakers, so it is up to those two to get past his pestering defense in these next couple of games.