Houston Rockets Move Up in Latest NBA Power Rankings

The Houston Rockets are gaining recognition following their strong performance, including an appearance in the NBA Cup semifinals. After defeating the Golden State Warriors in the quarterfinals, the Rockets are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With a record of 17-8, the Rockets currently hold the third seed in the Western Conference and are emerging as a legitimate playoff contender. They boast the second-best defensive rating in the NBA, led by a talented young core that includes Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.

In Bleacher Report's latest NBA power rankings by Andy Bailey, the Rockets have moved up from ninth to sixth, credited with a new net rating of +6.8. Bailey noted, "The Rockets are allowing just 105.1 points per 100 possessions, the second-best mark in the league, and this achievement can't be attributed to just one player."

He further highlighted the defensive prowess of several players, stating, "Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, Alperen Şengün, and Fred VanVleet are all ranked in the 94th percentile or higher in Dunks and Threes' defensive estimated plus-minus, which is one of the most trusted metrics in NBA front offices."

The Rockets are just half a game behind the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and 2.5 games behind the top-seeded Thunder. A victory against Oklahoma City tonight would give them a 2-0 lead in the season series.

Head coach Ime Udoka has the Rockets playing their best basketball in years, fostering hope that they can maintain this momentum and secure a high playoff spot, marking a significant step in their rebuilding process.

Stay connected with the latest Rockets news by liking the Rockets on SI Facebook and following them on Twitter. You can also learn more about the team behind the coverage.