PLAYOFFS

NBA playoff preview: Spurs-Rockets schedule, lineups, keys to victory

AJ Neuharth-Keusch
USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is defended by Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half at AT&T Center.

Kawhi Leonard vs. James Harden. Gregg Popovich vs. Mike D'Antoni. Stifling defense vs. high-octane offense. This Western Conference semifinals matchup has all the makings of must-see basketball, especially considering the fact that when these two teams met in the regular season, three of the four games were decided by two points.

*If necessary. All times Eastern.

  • Game 1 - Monday, May 1 at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. on TNT
  • Game 2 - Wednesday, May 3 at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. on TNT
  • Game 3 - Friday, May 5 at Houston, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
  • Game 4 - Sunday, May 7 at Houston, 9 p.m. on TNT
  • Game 5 - Tuesday, May 9 at San Antonio, TBD on TNT*
  • Game 6 - Thursday, May 11 at Houston, TBD on ESPN*
  • Game 7 - Sunday, May 14 at San Antonio, TBD*

Season series - Spurs won 3-1

Starting lineups:

(First-round statistics)

  • Spurs - Tony Parker (16.3 ppg, 3 apg), Danny Green (5.8 ppg, 3 rpg), Kawhi Leonard (31.2 ppg, 6 rpg), LaMarcus Aldridge (14.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), David Lee (5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
  • Rockets - Patrick Beverley (11.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg), James Harden (33.2 ppg, 7 apg), Trevor Ariza (6.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Ryan Anderson (7.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Clint Capela (7.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Spurs win if - Vintage Tony Parker sticks around. The savvy 34-year-old point guard, who has found new life this postseason, averaged 16.3 points on 53.3% shooting from the field and 53.3% shooting from beyond the arc in six games against Memphis. He hit big shots, got to the basket and, perhaps most importantly, gave the Spurs a much-needed third scoring option behind Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Rockets win if - Harden plays like the best player in the series and the rest of the team can hit their shots. Simple as it sounds, the Rockets — who set the NBA regular season record for three-pointers made and attempted — shot just 28.4% from beyond the arc in the first round against an Oklahoma City defense that can't hold a candle to San Antonio's. Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson shot a combined 6-for-40 from distance, while Harden made just 12 of his 50 attempts. That won't fly this round.

Need to know:

  • Spurs  - This is their fourth trip to the Western Conference semifinals in five years. 
  • Rockets - Posted a 104.3 defensive rating in the first round — a significant increase from the regular season (106.4).

PHOTOS: Best of the playoffs