Meanwhile, Lakers loss against the undersized Rockets, and Covington was great in his first game with the Rockets.
Lakers still maintaining a terrible win rate against 500 teams. I do not know if this is deliberate but they need to up their game against contenders. Rockets are undersized but they still managed to beat the Lakers. I have serious doubts in how the Lakers will perform come playoffs.
Both LA franchise have the dominating edge from the West side, the rally of houston bringing small lineup can be eaten alive by those big dominating forces inside. Players like AD and Harrell where very commanding when inside the post. Houston's fate will be depends from how the coaching staff will bring good system for the rest of the team.
GSW was successful in implementing small ball against Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 NBA Finals but unlike Rockets line up right now, GSW still had centers in their roster. If they will not fill up the center position, Rockets is taking a big gamble going small ball the rest of the season.
Denver not in the conversation? Denver can play inside or out and can score in various ways to beat teams. Even when a coue starters are down they beat teams like the bucks, jazz etc as of late. I think with the nuggets depth they are the team in the west to worry about