West Conf. Finals Game 3 - Houston Rockets 85-126 Golden State Warriors - Rockets' Player Ratings

Trevor Ariza - 5/10

Ariza guarding Curry

Stat line: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2-of-6 shooting (33.3% fg), 0-of-2 on threes

Ariza had a great Game 2 when he was attacking the paint relentlessly after pump fakes from the 3-point line. He started this game out in a similar fashion, but for the rest of the game, the Rockets' offensive schemes seemed to just skate him by. Despite being on the field for 36 minutes - the highest among their starters, the 3-and-D specialist took just 2 3-point field goal attempts and 6 overall.

He was markedly better on the defensive end - he projects as their team's best on-ball defender alongside Luc M'bah a Moute on paper. The Warriors, however, were able to get their players to attack defenders other than him, and that approach bode well considering Ariza's stifling brand of defense.

The small forward must improve on the offensive side of things, demand the ball more and get into open positions as he did in Game 2 in order to have the best impact he's capable of.