Remarkably, we are in the final quarter of the NBA season and the Houston Rockets remain firmly entrenched in the playoff race. After finishing 41-41 last year following three awful losing seasons, this current team projects to win 50-plus games in what would be a huge jump in their long rebuild. With just about 20 games left, they are fifth in the Western Conference (as of March 5), but will they move up or down?
After a few straight losses, a slip to sixth could be more possible, but seeing how they match up against the other teams in contention feels like a good exercise right now, listing from the top seed to the eighth.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder Games Ahead: 13.5
Record Against: 1-3
OKC is the class of the Western Conference if not the entire NBA. The star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is the likely league MVP. The have the best odds of winning a title and are so far ahead of the field at this point, no one is catching them.
2. Los Angeles Lakers Games Ahead: 3
Record Against: 1-0
Having won seven straight as of writing this, the Lakers are on a tear thanks to the shocking acquisition of Luka Doncic at the trade deadline from Dallas. This is now one of the arguable favorites to emerge from the West. While just three games ahead, it feels like the Lakers will certainly pull away from the pack at some point in the next 10 or so games.
3. Denver Nuggets Games Ahead: 2.5
Record Against: 1-0
The Rockets manhandled the Nuggets in their one matchup. They play twice more before the end of the season and Denver has been rolling. There's no reason the Rockets couldn't catch them if they start playing more consistently, but the Nuggets have the experience and the lead.
4. Memphis Grizzlies Games Ahead: 1.5
Record Against: 3-1
If there was one team that seemed gettable for the Rockets, it's the team in Memphis they have owned this year. These two teams have moved back and forth in the standings for weeks. Like the Rockets, the Grizz are on a bit of a slide, losing three in a row and seven of their last ten. The Rockets also own the tiebreaker, but they don't meet again in the regular season.
6. Golden State Warriors Games Behind: 3
Record Against: 1-3
For years now, Golden State has had the Rockets' number thanks in large part to Steph Curry. This year is no different even if the Warriors aren't what they used to be. After landing Jimmy Butler at the deadline, they have improved dramatically. Currently, they've won eight of ten and appear to be gaining on the field. This is a team for the Rockets to watch especially since they see them one more time before the end of the year.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves Games Behind: 3.5
Record Against: 1-1
The Wolves have scuffled along all season, but with Anthony Edwards, virtually anything is possible. Ask the Rockets after the fourth quarter of their last game against Minny. Barring a collapse, the Rockets should stay ahead of the T-Wolves, but they might keep an eye in the rearview mirror just in case.
8. Sacramento Kings Games Behind: 4
Record Against: 0-3
It's been a weird season against the Kings, a team that is barely over .500 and traded away one of their best players, yet the Rockets cannot seem to beat them. The Kings have won four straight and seem to have righted the ship, but do they have enough to catch the Rockets or anyone ahead of them in the final stretch run?