Can the Wizards Limit the Rockets’ Three-Point Shooting?
As was the case last season, the Rockets’ success depends heavily on three-pointers. The roster is basically constructed to have shooter all along the arc for Harden and Paul to kick out to when they drive.
Interestingly though, the Rockets aren’t necessarily as dangerous from the three-point line as they are reliant on it. While they’re tied for first in made three-pointers per game (14), they’re actually 24th in three-point shooting percentage (33.9 percent), meaning they jack up a lot from distance. In fact, not only does Houston shoot a league-high 41.1 three-point attempts per game, but they’re far and away the leader in the percentage of field-goal attempts from three-point range at 48.3 percent, which is 6 percent higher than the second-place team.
Simply put, about half of the Rockets’ shots come from distance. The Wizards have struggled to limit their opponents’ three-point shooting and are among the worst in opponent three-point field goals and opponent three-point shooting percentage.
Harden, Paul, and Gordon are obvious players for the Wizards to focus on, as they should, but it’s important not to overlook P.J. Tucker: The do-it-all swingman is shooting a team- and career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line.