FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

Can the Rockets score on these guys?

1

The Warriors have the NBA’s best record, best defensive

rating and best net rating. As always, they lead in assist percentage. They are also in the top five in points allowed, defensive rebounding percentage, rebounding percentage, opposing shooting percentage, opposing 3-point percentage, eFG percentage, true shooting percentage and pace.

Nothing could pose as great a challenge for the Rockets as going against the Golden State defense, with a defensive rating that would be the best in the NBA for a full season in 18 years.

In the past three games, the Warriors have allowed an average of just 86.3 points per game on 36 percent shooting. They have given up 100 points in just one of five games, and that was when the Grizzlies needed overtime to get to 104.The Rockets made strides offensively since their struggles against the Jazz and in the first game against the Lakers. The Rockets have failed to crack 100 in three of their past five games, but this could be their toughest test so far.

Deal with depth

2

The Warriors might be led by their stars, Stephen

Curry and Draymond Green, but their depth has become outstanding. While Jordan Poole has blossomed into an outstanding scoring threat next to Curry, the Warriors have gotten all kinds of help off the bench from Nemanja Bjelica, Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. None are especially high scorers, but the Warriors’ bench is still third in the NBA in scoring. The Rockets come in for the second half of a back-to-back but could get help back with Danuel House Jr. expected to return.

What kind of energy will the Rockets have?

3

The game will be their first this season in the second

half of a back-to-back, and while it is the fifth game of the Warriors’ eight-game homestand, it is the fifth game of the Rockets road trip. Coming off a grueling game in Denver, the Rockets must play with enormous energy to have a chance in most games. They play at the greatest pace in the NBA. But the Warriors are close behind, ranking fourth and are the second-leading team in fast-break scoring. Young legs tend to recover quickly, but the Warriors have a tendency to exploit any letup.

3s company

4

The Warriors lead the NBA in 3s per game, making 16.1

, led by Stephen Curry’s league-leading 4.9 per game. The Rockets’ 3-point defense has been strong, allowing 32.3 percent 3-point shooting to rank sixth. But the Warriors 3-point defense has been as good as their 3-point shooting, allowing 29.5 percent. When the Rockets last faced one of the top teams in 3-point defense, they made just 20.5 percent of their attempts against the Jazz and hit just 28.6 percent on Saturday.

Son of Glove or Reign Man 2.0?

5

Gary Payton II has provided a jolt of energy off the

Warriors bench, becoming a fan favorite and an outstanding defender and finisher. That would be a significant development for a player who made the roster on the last cut. He might not be Shawn Kemp above the rim, but he has also earned acclaim for a variety of highlight slams that have been part of the Warriors’ impressive start to the season.