What looked like a potential ho-hum Western Conference semifinal between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets has suddenly become a dogfight. The Rockets evened the series and defended their home court behind the stellar play of James Harden — who scored 79 combined points in Games 3 and 4.

The Rockets outrebounded the Warriors 55-35 in Game 3 and 50-43 in Game 4, owning the trenches despite a small lineup that often featured P.J. Tucker at either power forward or center.

Golden State has also gone small for most of the series in the hopes that their “Death Lineup” would be too much for Houston on both ends. But with both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson struggling and Tucker banging away at Draymond Green at the paint, the Warriors will need a more concerted rebounding effort in Game 5.

Enter Kevon Looney, who has been Steve Kerr's most reliable frontcourt player off the bench. Looney has actually registered positive plus-minuses in each of Golden State's last two losses, and he has been known all year for his defensive footwork and versatility in the paint.

But Looney also understands that he needs to elevate his game and plug those rebounding holes.

“I can rebound better and get all the 50-50 balls,” Looney told Mark Medina of The Mercury News. “I think I can do a better job of that. Talk more on the weakside. I feel like I have to talk more, let Draymond, KD, Andre and the guys know let them know you have their back.”

Steve Kerr may or may not look to alter his rotations and give Kevon Looney some more run with different personnel. Regardless, expect the Dubs to have a greater focus on the battle for the boards in Game 5.