2018 NBA Playoffs Preview: Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves, SWOT Analysis & Prediction

#3 Opportunities and threats

Paul and Harden have some playoff ghosts to avenge

Houston Rockets

The only major area of concern for Houston is their durability in their playoffs. For all the all-star credentials that Paul and Harden boast of, neither has a ring next to their name. And their major threat will come from the playoff ghosts of their star duo and coach Mike D'Antoni.

No player has played more playoff games (76) without reaching the conference finals than Paul and while he does average 21.4 points, 9.4 assists and 38.1 percent on threes in the playoffs, he just hasn't been able to get close to playoff superstardom. Although Harden has made it to an NBA Finals in 2012 with OKC, he was a no-show in that game and game 6 of last year's conference semis against the Spurs that saw the Rockets being eliminated.

Both players will want to improve on that and an added incentive of becoming the first Rockets team since 1997 to sweep a playoff series will be on their minds.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves starters need to be on their toes

The one big advantage for the Timberwolves to start the series is the fact that the Rockets will be without Luc Mbah a Moute, Ryan Anderson is doubtful and there are question marks over Eric Gordon's ankles. All of that means that the bench, which was a huge factor in the Rockets' ability to just rip team to shreds, will not be at full strength.

Given how Thibs likes to overwork his starters and not give the bench as many minutes, the match-up between the starters of Minnesota and the bench of the Rockets should be one that goes in just one direction. If the Timberwolves can use the momentum they get from outscoring the bench, they could conceivably have enough to win a game or two.

That and the fact that Jimmy Butler is one of the few players in the league, who can guard Harden and keep him quiet, should give them enough hope that they can come out of this series with their heads held high.