Houston Rockets Power Rankings Update Through Week 22
By Yoni Pollak
Mar 27, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) gets a rebound during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 120-98. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Rockets went 2-1 for the week (last Monday-Sunday), beating the Bocats, 76’ers, while losing to the Clippers. This week’s average rank for these publications is 4.875 , while last week it was 4.375. Since these power rankings come out throughout the day on Monday, our national power rankings post will come out early Tuesday every week.
Note: National power rankings don’t take into account any of Monday’s NBA action
ESPN (Marc Stein)
Ranked – 5 | Last Week – 4
"As hard as the Rockets tried to find a palatable Omer Asik trade, going back to December, they were always torn about the idea. And now the Rockets have to be glad Asik bidders were turned off by Houston’s high demands because Dwight Howard is still out. So they need their insurance policy."
Ranked – 6 | Last Week – 5
"The soft schedule helped with all the injuries, and they stayed with the Clippers without Patrick Beverley and Dwight Howard. Now it’s go time. Three straight playoff opponents before an easy stretch to end the season."
Yahoo Sports (Marc J. Spears)
Ranked – 5 | Last Week – 4
"Houston is 13-8 this season when Jeremy Lin starts at point guard. Point guard Patrick Beverley is out indefinitely because of a knee injury."
NBA.com (John Schuhmann)
Ranked – 4 | Last Week – 4
"Houston (49-33)Pace: 98.4 (5), OffRtg: 108.5 (4), DefRtg: 102.4 (10), NetRtg: +6.0 (5)The Rockets have lost their last four games against playoff teams and might be without both Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley as they play three more this week. But things get easier after that and, thanks to 19 straight wins against teams with losing records, they have a four-game cushion in the loss column for a top-four seed. Jeremy Lin shot 1-for-9 in his first start since the break. This week: @ BKN, @ TOR, vs. OKC, vs. DEN"
Sports Illustrated (Matt Dollinger)
Ranked – 4 | Last Week – 4
"The Rockets’ chances of crashing the conference finals hinges on the health of point guard Patrick Beverley, who is hoping to avoid surgery for torn meniscus in his right knee. Jeremy Lin and Isaiah Canaan give Houston plenty offensively at the point, but Beverley is far and away the team’s best perimeter defender and a necessary piece when trying to conquer the West’s elite."
USA Today (combination of writers)
Ranked – 6 | Last Week – 5
"Patrick Beverley is known for defense, but he also has great chemistry with James Harden."
ProBasketballTalk (Kurt Helin)
Ranked – 4 | Last Week – 4
"No Dwight Howard or Patrick Beverly this week and they take on three playoff teams (Brooklyn, Toronto and Oklahoma City), so expect some losses. The Beverly injury is one to watch — they will need his perimeter defense come the playoffs, particularly since they will likely face a jump shooting team in Portland or Golden State in the first round."
Basketball Insiders (Moke Hamilton)
Ranked – 5 | Last Week – 5
"A five-game streak snapped by the Clippers on Saturday night, our more immediate concern is Dwight Howard’s health, especially with a tough three games in four nights this week: at Brooklyn, at Toronto and then at home against the Thunder. Omer Asik: once again the best insurance policy, perhaps, in the entire league. Last Week: 2-1."
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