The Rockets (34-20) have gone 11-5 (.688) in their last 16 games, with only the second-seeded Spurs performing better during that stretch. Houston is 4.5 games behind San Antonio for the No. 2 spot, with the Nuggets, Lakers and Timberwolves close behind them in the standings.
Rockets Soar to No. 3 in West
Despite off-court challenges, the Houston Rockets have risen to No. 3 in the Western Conference standings.