Rockets control playoff destiny, in driver’s seat for West’s No. 2 seed

No one nationally seems to be talking about the Houston Rockets. But perhaps that NBA conversation will soon change.

The Rockets are, after all, in the driver’s seat for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. (The Oklahoma City Thunder have already wrapped up the top spot.)

Entering Monday, Houston (49-26) held a 2-game lead over the Denver Nuggets and a 3.5-game lead over the fourth-place Los Angeles Lakers. All of this has put coach Ime Udoka in the running for NBA Coach of the Year. At least, he should be.

“The West’s second seed is Houston’s to lose at this point, as unlikely as that seemed entering the season,” wrote Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “The Rockets have a two-game cushion over the Nuggets, and the tiebreaker between those teams will be decided on the final day of the regular season in Houston.”

Rockets up 78-49 over Suns at half in Phoenix. Not sure why no one nationally is talking about the Rockets.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 31, 2025

But again, others are still in play. And the Rockets will have to act as road warriors to secure that second spot. Given that they walloped the Phoenix Suns on the road on Sunday … well, it may not be a problem.

“The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are within striking distance if the Rockets fade down the stretch, sitting 4½ and 3½ games back in the standings, respectively,” MacMahon wrote. “Two of the Rockets’ remaining eight games are on the road against the Lakers.”

So no, it won’t be easy. But if there’s one thing the Rockets have shown thus far, it’s that “easy” doesn’t matter to them.

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