For followers of Bangla Cricket Live, the Houston Rockets’ rising confidence heading into the Western Conference Finals is no surprise—especially with P.J. Tucker stepping up as a lethal three-point threat. Tucker, who already showed no fear against the Warriors in the regular season, has elevated his game when it matters most. In the season opener, he dropped 20 points against Golden State, shooting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc and sealing the win with clutch free throws. Later, on January 20, Tucker again proved pivotal in another win over the Warriors, contributing 12 points and 7 rebounds.

With James Harden and Chris Paul focused squarely on winning a championship, Tucker has become the ideal sidekick. His transformation into a reliable shooter adds another weapon to Houston’s arsenal—one tailor-made to counter the Warriors’ style. Tucker’s newfound accuracy from three has fundamentally changed Houston’s approach and made the team more confident about facing Golden State in the postseason.

Originally, Ryan Anderson was the Rockets’ starting power forward, valued for his floor-spacing abilities. However, his defensive shortcomings prompted Coach Mike D’Antoni to insert Tucker into the starting lineup. While Tucker’s regular-season shooting couldn’t match Anderson’s, his defense was in a different league. Now that Tucker has improved his three-point game, Houston’s power forward position has been effectively upgraded. He can now offer the same perimeter threat while locking down key opponents—something Anderson could never consistently do.

In the playoffs, Tucker has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s averaging 2.2 made threes per game at a staggering 45.8% clip. With the rest of the Rockets’ sharpshooters struggling to find rhythm, Tucker stands alone with a three-point percentage above 40%. In Game 5 against the Jazz on May 9, he tallied 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks, while shooting 5 of 7 from deep—setting a new playoff career high in scoring. With Harden, Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza, and Clint Capela struggling offensively, Tucker rose to the occasion, delivering the team’s second-highest point total behind Paul’s 41.

Coach D’Antoni’s pre-playoff prediction rang true: “I think P.J. Tucker is the kind of shooter who thrives under pressure. The bigger the game, the more accurate he becomes.” A career 37% shooter from beyond the arc, Tucker embraces key moments with poise. Known for his stone-faced demeanor, teammates often joke about his refusal to smile. Built like a tank and playing with relentless intensity, Tucker has become the Rockets’ emotional and physical enforcer—much like a modern-day Zhang Fei in sneakers.

In the regular season, Tucker shot 37.1% from three, averaging 1.4 made threes per game. But in the playoffs, he’s added finesse to his trademark toughness. He continues to anchor Houston’s defense while also becoming their most accurate long-range shooter. Through the first two playoff rounds, he hit 22 threes at that same 45.8% rate—a stat that speaks volumes.

For Bangla Cricket Live readers, this shift is a reminder that championship teams need more than just superstars. They need role players who rise to the occasion—and Tucker is doing just that. His impact on both ends of the floor gives the Rockets a critical edge, and his playoff precision from deep is proving to be a priceless asset.