The Rockets found their own version of the Warriors’ Hamptons Five: The South Beach Five

As expected, the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets have turned their second round NBA playoffs series into a boxing match, mixed in with some chess (hey, that’s a sport!).

The Dubs got their first punches in, giving the Rockets problems by throwing the Hamptons Five — the small-ball lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green at center — at Houston, which made slower Rockets center Clint Capela a target for defensive switches. It was a matchup nightmare.

Now, Mike D’Antoni has figured out the counter-punch, which he jokingly called the “South Beach Five”: Chris Paul, James Harden, Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker playing the Green role at center:

"They got their Hampton 5, and we got our — I dunno — South Beach 5 … or some place over there …" — #Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni how Houston using a lot of small ball lineup in Game 4 win @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/a3WkTYBVB5

— Sal Maneen (@SalManeen) May 7, 2019

Yes, the Warriors’ Splash Brothers are having shooting problems — Klay Thompson (1-of-6 from distance) and Steph Curry (4-of-14 from beyond the arc) are in the middle of an alarming slump. And the defense on that final Warriors possession — in which Durant and Curry missed game-tying shots — was alarming (although great play call by Steve Kerr).

Austin Rivers doesn’t switch onto Durant when PJ Tucker calls for it after losing him when KD switches direction. this was a hell of a set by GSW pic.twitter.com/HtZgnDV5xf

— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) May 7, 2019

But perhaps that’s because Mike D’Antoni, at least for two games, has a more versatile yet tough lineup that can keep up with the faster Warriors.

After Game 4 loss to Rockets, Warriors’ Steve Kerr: “They’ve got a lot of middle linebackers on that team. We’re built like volleyball players, long and lean.”

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 7, 2019

Tucker, like Green, has become an all-around X-factor driving the Rockets on both ends of the floor. He doesn’t disturb spacing on offense because he can hit from deep, and he brings physicality, defense and rebounding against a smaller lineup — no wonder he played a team-high 42 minutes:

PJ Tucker just pushing Steph under on a box out. Clean play. pic.twitter.com/bKugNjLp7e

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) May 7, 2019

Watch P.J. Tucker here. Unreal effort and transition D on Draymond. pic.twitter.com/nPw54xQo1a

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 7, 2019

Good defense from Houston here. Warriors throw it to KD in the post and play off their post splits. Starts with a simple action of Draymond screening for Klay and Rockets switch Capela on him. Now they have Iggy screen for him. Good 1v1 D by Tucker. pic.twitter.com/g5i63jobVb

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 7, 2019

So how do the Warriors counter? I don’t think Kerr can insert Andrew Bogut into the lineup because Capela is better on the offensive end, giving Harden a lob-and-dunk option when he drives. The answer is Thompson and Curry need to find their shots again — and who knows if Curry’s injured finger means that could continue to be a struggle? — and playing Game 5 at home might help.

Once again, I reiterate: This is the Rockets’ best chance to beat the Warriors. They’ve figured out the formula to keep up, the Dubs are on the ropes, and now it’s all about finishing.