2018 NBA Playoffs: 5 Matchups that will dictate the Warriors vs Rockets Western Conference Finals

#3 Trevor Ariza vs Kevin Durant

To a great extent, this is a one-sided matchup as Ariza is not a big scorer. However, Ariza also happens to be a solid defender, who the Rockets have leaned on for that aspect for a while. Nobody on this planet can shut down Kevin Durant or even stop him from scoring 20 points on his worst night, so Ariza has a job on his hands.

But he can make the best of it by getting really close to Durant and preventing him from getting a comfortable mid-range jump shot off. Getting close to him will force Durant into going for his dribble, and if he continues to stay close and funnel him towards Capela on Durant's drive, that is an outcome the Rockets can live with.

On the other end, Ariza is mostly a spot-up shooter who capitalizes on assists from the likes of Harden and Paul. If he does get hot early on in the series, that will force Kerr to factor his effectiveness in while prepping the Warriors' defence. Durant will be forced to move more into the perimeter instead of being a constant shot-blocking presence from the weakside, and this will directly affect the Warriors' defensive schemes.