NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Riding Middle?

The Houston Rockets are 2-2 in their last four games. Where does that put them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 9, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Riding Middle? /

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are just one game above .500 after Monday night's 120-113 loss to the Miami Heat.

The loss has them at 2-2 over the past week, a mark that has the team in the middle of the pack both in the Western Conference standings and in the power rankings.

Jalen Green Ant Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves — Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports has the Rockets clocking in at No. 16, one spot lower than last week.

"The Rockets beat the Nets and Bucks this week, while losing to the Timberwolves and Heat. Alperen Sengun led the way offensively with 23 points and nine rebounds per game, while Fred VanVleet added 18.5 points per game on 49% 3-point shooting," CBS Sports writes. "Overall, however, the Rockets only mustered 107 points per 100 possessions for the week."

Fred VanVleet Believes Physicality is Key to Improving Rockets' Road Struggles

The Rockets offense hasn't been the same without Dillon Brooks, who has missed the last seven games with an oblique strain. Tari Eason's absence isn't helping matters either. He's missed the last four games with lower left leg soreness.

Perhaps the Rockets will turn things around this week with winnable matchups against the Chicago Bulls (Wed.) and Detroit Pistons (Fri.). But then life returns to a challenge with the Boston Celtics (Sat.) and Philadelphia 76ers (Mon.) on the schedule as Houston's six-game road trip continues.

Published Jan 9, 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.