NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Falling Amidst Losing Stretch?

The Houston Rockets have won just a single game on their five-game road trip.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 16, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Falling Amidst Losing Stretch? /

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are 1-4 on their current road trip and are just 3-6 since the start of the new year.

Most of these games have come on the road, where the Rockets have struggled mightily this year. Houston is a mere 4-14 away from Toyota Center, a mark that needs to be improved if it wants to have a shot at the postseason.

Alperen Sengun Bulls — David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Not only have the Rockets fallen below the Play-In line in the standings, but they have also dropped six spots in CBS Sports' latest power rankings. Houston now sits at No. 22 after being No. 16 a week ago.

"The Rockets went 1-3 this week, but does a two-point win over the Pistons really count as a victory? The normally solid defense was lacking, giving up 122 points per 100 possessions in the four games," CBS Sports writes. "Six Rockets averaged double figures for the week, led by 23 points per game from Alperen Sengun."

Rockets' Amen Thompson Sets Career High in Loss to 76ers

The Rockets hope to reverse their misfortunes this week when they finish their road trip tomorrow night against the New York Knicks. Then, the team returns home with a back-to-back over the weekend against the sizzling hot Utah Jazz on Saturday and the NBA-best Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Published Jan 16, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.