NBA Power Ranking Lists: How Pundits Rank Houston Rockets Week 22

Houston Rockets have 8 games left, are clinging to 8th seed and remain as inconsistent as they began the season. Here’s how the pundits rank them in week 22

Week 22 of the 2015-16 season is in the books and with that the new NBA Power Ranking Lists are out, so lets take a look at where the Houston Rockets were ranked.

In Week 22 the Houston Rockets did what they’ve done all season by playing tough teams well and coming out slowly then losing to teams they should have beat. Case in point they beat the Toronto Raptors and stayed close with the Thunder though it resulted in a lose. But in must win games versus teams they have more talent than they lost (Jazz, Pacers) giving them a 1-3 loss on the week.

Though they have just 3 games this week (23) they’ll be in tough facing the Cavaliers (even if they rest LeBron James), a desperate Bulls team and the ever dangerous Thunder. Sure seems like we’re banging our head against a wall but the reality is the Houston Rockets need to win out to ensure a playoff seed. Especially now that the Blazers have a two game lead on them, the Jazz have a half game lead and the decimated Grizzlies who looked within reach just days ago are now 5 games ahead firmly in fifth. And don’t count out the 2-8 Mavericks who still have a ageless Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle in play.

Lets see where the pundits rank the Rockets in week 22:

Pundits Lists:

John Schuhmann of nba.com  As Schuhmann points out James Harden has been throwing at dimes at a record pace and the Rockets who’ve been losing more than winning have actually been playing better than their win-loss record indicates. Full week 22 list

Matt Moore of CBS Moore provides arguably the best line of the year re: banana peel and oh yeah, drops Rockets 4 spots.  them 3 spots. Complete list.

Marc Stein ESPN  This is one of those posts where you find yourself saying out loud “ain’t that the truth” as you are reading it (re: Stein’s comments on Bulls/Rockets). As it stands the Bulls lost their 4th straight in a battle slipping them 2.5 games out of 8th with only 9 games left to catch the Pistons for that pivotal 8th seed. And just like the Rockets the Bulls have been unable to capitalize on the schedule to move up even higher to the team they swept this season in the Raptors!  Full List.

Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated  With the Houston Rockets displaying consistent inconsistency perhaps those looking for a silver lining will find comfort in Woo’s comments which remind  that H-Town owns the Jazz tiebreak and can also register another vs the Mavs. The relevance of that is those are the 2 teams embroiled with Houston to nail down seeds 7 and 8.. His full list is here.

More from Space City Scoop

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• Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley worth a look at No. 2 in NBA Draft
• Houston Rockets: Ranking the top-five 2021 NBA draft prospects 

USA Today’s Jeff Sagarin has for the most part provided intriguing stats all year. At times I’ve questioned his stats given he tends to keep certain teams afloat even when the obvious is staring him in the face. For example the Cavaliers have rarely not found themselves third or fourth despite their defensive regression. Plus he continues to keep the Clippers among the top teams rarely dropping them below 7th. This week he holds the Rockets steady at 13th.. Here’s the full list

That wraps up the National Media NBA Power Ranking Lists for Week 22 of the season. What are your thoughts on how the pundits ranked the Rockets? Let us know in the comments section below.

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