NBA Power Rankings: Houston Rockets Slipping After LA Losses?

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

The Houston Rockets are riding a two-game losing streak after winning six in a row at home.

The win streak came with a four-day rest before the team's west coast trip to Tinseltown where they faced the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers in consecutive games. Both contests came down to the wire and the Rockets had chances to win each game, but Houston ultimately came up short in both.

Those defeats have the Rockets moving down seven spots in NBA.com's most recent power rankings from No. 8 to 15.

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green defended by LA Clippers star Paul George / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

"The Rockets’ played a couple of ugly games in L.A. over the weekend, combining with their opponents to score just 104.8 points per 100 possessions," NBA.com writes. "Both games went down to the wire and the Rockets lost them both, getting beat by a step-back 3 from James Harden and a free throw from LeBron James. So their season has been a six-game winning streak sandwiched by five losses."

The losses weren't bad considering the Rockets were in both games. However, it's hard to take the Rockets as a truly serious playoff threat until they win a game on the road, which they have yet to do so.

Perhaps that first road win will come tonight when they visit the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. If not, the team will have to wait a week in order to try again as they return home on Wednesday to face the Memphis Grizzlies and Friday for a rematch with the Denver Nuggets.

LeBron Keeps Rockets Winless in L.A.