Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
A 21-point win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night has momentarily propelled the Houston Rockets into the sixth seed in the Western Conference standings.
The Rockets edged ahead of Golden State in the West standings thanks to the team’s 3-1 season record against the Warriors and are currently on pace to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Both the Rockets and the Warriors have two games remaining in their respective regular season schedules. Houston has winnable games against Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers, however, both are on the road, while Golden State faces San Antonio and Portland (away).
The possibility of finishing sixth is an attractive one for both teams. Finishing seventh would mean a first round match-up with either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, and although the Spurs’ roster is currently hurting, the prospect of playing the depleted and inexperienced Nuggets is far more attractive for Houston.
James Harden paced the Rockets with 29 points and nine assists against the Kings, while Omer Asik contributed a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double.
“It’s about improving our small things, little detailed things,” Harden said after the win against the Kings.
“I don’t think the home-run plays are going to get us over the top. I think the small things are going to help us be successful in this postseason.”
The return of Chandler Parsons presented more good news for the Rockets. Parsons missed the previous four games with a strained right calf and played 27 minutes, scoring 13 points.
Robert White covers the Houston Rockets for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
