4th: Houston Rockets (↑2)
Well, we’ve already seen the Nugget’s “mega-lineup”, here’s the polar opposite.
Tied with Oklahoma City for the fifth spot in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets are sitting comfortably going into Orlando with an opportunity to possibly gain ground.
But it’s pretty crowded.
Only 2.5 games separate the third-place Nuggets and sixth place Rockets, leaving plenty of room in between for adjustment. With eight games remaining, the Rockets are going to have to play their brand of basketball and dictate the pace of play to gain any ground in the West.
Russell Westbrook’s entrance into the bubble was delayed but has since joined the team. He’s ready to go.
Fellow Houston players Luc Mbah a Moute and Bruno Caboclo have also arrived in Orlando after a delay, both clearing quarantine and practicing with the team. Mbah a Moute signed with the Rockets on July 7 as a substitute player, replacing Thabo Sefolosha who opted out of the season due to personal concerns.
Also out for the Rockets is guard Eric Gordon, who suffered an ankle sprain that will keep him out for the majority of the seeding games. After going through a down year in production this season with the addition of Russell Westbrook, Gordon will be missed in starting lineup and will most likely be replaced by Daniel House Jr.
Houston has also signed guard/forward David Nwaba to a two-year deal. The young player will not travel however, still nursing an ACL tear from earlier this year.
Tyson Chandler, 38-year-old Rockets center, is currently on expiring deal and losing his place in the lineup. With forwards like P.J. Tucker, Jeff Green and DeMarre Carroll playing at the center, Houston has embraced the “small-ball” lineup recently and left Chandler without a consistent rotation spot.
The Rockets have been using the additional practice time well, bringing new arrival Robert Covington up to speed with the offensive systems and acclimating him into the lineup.
In order to succeed, this lineup needs to gel together and find a way to showcase Russell Westbrook and James Harden without inferring with each other’s style. If it clicks, the Rockets “small-ball” system could see them shoot up the standings before the final seeding game.