Houston Rockets: Power Ranking Potential Playoff Opponents
By Jake Lapin
Honorable Mentions Denver Nuggets/ L.A. Clippers
They’re not out of it yet, so they make the list. It should come as no surprise that the two teams on the outside looking in are the obvious preferences for the Houston Rockets should they sneak in to that eighth spot.
The Nuggets can’t seem to get out of their own way, with bad losses this month to teams in tank race. They had a tremendous February with only three losses, however two of those came at the hands of the Rockets.
Houston swept Denver in their three-game season set by a combined 61 points. Let’s just say the Rockets would look forward to a series against the Nuggets.
The Clippers pose a more interesting, but not quite viable threat. There’s somewhat of a “budding rivalry” factor here. Paul is the best player in their franchise history, and by trading for him the Rockets gave up a load of assets that now don the Clipper jersey. Not to mention the infamous “secret hallway” incident.
But the Clippers have fallen in the standings for a reason. They traded their face of the franchise Blake Griffin after signing him to a monster extension this past offseason. Their biggest return for Griffin, Avery Bradley, is now sidelined for the remainder of the season. Their relative success with a lackluster roster is admirable, but no real challenge to this Rockets squad.