NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Reeling After Losses vs. Bucks & Cavs?

The Houston Rockets have lost two straight games. Where does that put them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Dec 19, 2023

NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Reeling After Losses vs. Bucks & Cavs? /

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are back in the loss column after falling to the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers in back-to-back nights.

While the Rockets fought hard, they were ultimately unable to pull out a win against Eastern Conference playoff contenders, which prompted a four-spot drop in the latest NBA power rankings from CBS Sports. The team now sits at No. 14 after cracking a top-10 spot last week.

Alperen Sengun Donovan Mitchell Cavaliers — Alperen Sengun, Donovan Mitchell / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

"The Rockets beat the Grizzlies twice to start the week before losing to the Bucks and Cavs," CBS Sports writes. "Seven Rockets averaged double-figure scoring this week, led by 19 points and 10 assists per game from Fred VanVleet. In his first game in Memphis since signing with the Rockets, Dillon Brooks put up 26 points and seven rebounds, hitting a dagger 3-pointer in the final minute."

Rockets' Defense Plunges Amid Two-Game Losing Skid

The Rockets hope to get back to their winning ways this week when the Atlanta Hawks (Wed.) and Dallas Mavericks (Thu.) come to town. Then, the Rockets take a quick trip to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Published Dec 19, 2023

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.