When the Rockets on Tuesday gathered for practice after two off days, the standings had become far more bunched in front of them than when they left on Saturday with a four-game winning streak. There were four teams – the Trail Blazers, Clippers, Warriors and Grizzlies – tied for the best record in the Western Conference.
The ninth-place Rockets, having climbed much of the way out of the hole they dug with a 1-5 start to the season, began Tuesday just 2 ½ games out of first place, but with a thick pack of teams in their path.