Four straight wins ignite Rockets' surge. Injuries jumble playoff seeding, creating unexpected contenders and shifting the Western Conference landscape.
Things can change quickly in the NBA. At this time last week, it seemed like Houston was destined to finish in sixth place and face the Lakers in the Playoffs. Now after four straight wins, their path is looking a bit different.
Instead of potentially being tied with the Rockets again, the Timberwolves are now a full game behind in the standings. This could easily change if they win in Philadelphia today, as a Rockets’ loss would then cause a tie at 47-30.
I find this unlikely to happen due to Houston hosting the Jazz, while Minnesota is on the second night of a back to back. On the road, no less.
After returning for one night, Anthony Edwards was a late scratch in Detroit. Who knows when he’ll be back on the court for good and back to looking like himself.
This makes it more likely that the Rockets have a two game advantage over the Timberwolves to start the weekend. A game and a half at least, with only five games remaining.
After the Lakers’ loss last night, LA is only one game ahead of the Nuggets in the standings. Luka Doncic is questionable to play in this final week of games against the Warriors, Suns, and Thunder.
This makes their spot in third place much less of a guarantee, just one week later. Denver’s seven game winning streak has put them right on the Lakers’ heels, with a must-see matchup of Jokic vs Wemby set for Saturday afternoon.
Just a week after positioning seemed to be more or less wrapped up in the Western Conference standings, everything is up in the air now.
Despite the heartbreaking overtime collapse in Minnesota, the Rockets have managed to rack up four straight wins. The Nuggets have won seven straight, putting them closer catching the Lakers, who seemed to be coasting to the third seed.
Injuries to Luka and Ant Edwards have changed the playoff outlook though, as it’s tough to guess where seeds 3-6 will finish now.
If the Rockets win all six of their remaining games, they could get up to third place. This would require the Lakers to go 2-3 in their final five games, at best. The Nuggets could go 3-2 at best though, making fourth place much more realistic.
With the season series already decided against the Lakers and Nuggets, Houston would have to finish with a better record than them to get the higher seed. The tiebreaker against Minnesota is set to be decided on April 10th.
Stay tuned in to the standings, because they’re likely to fluctuate everyday at this point of the season.