Ranking 5 potential Rockets first round playoff opponents by order of preference

The Houston Rockets are finally heading to the playoffs. 

It's inevitable. There's no question that the Rockets will play in the postseason this year. The only question is who their first-round opponent will be. 

In the Western Conference, nobody can rule anything out. The Rockets could finish in any number of spots. Still, some matchups emerge as being more likely than others. 

Here are the 5 most likely ranked by who the Rockets should most to least prefer to meet. 

5. Los Angeles Clippers 

No, this isn't strictly for the narrative value of facing James Harden in the first round. 

Although, that would be poetic. Facing Harden in the first instance that the Rockets get back to the playoffs since he left the franchise would be glorious. That's great for the fans, but it's not why the Rockets should be crossing their fingers for the Clippers. 

In three contests this year, the Rockets have beaten the Clippers three times.  The average score of those games has been 117.6 to 104.3. 

It feels like the Rockets have the Clippers' number. 

Sure, the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard in each of those games. What are the odds that they'll be without the oft-injured wing in the playoffs? In any event, the Rockets won't get a "gimme" in the first round no matter who they're facing - the Clippers look like the easiest route to victory. 

4. Los Angeles Lakers

It's a bit tricky to judge the Rockets' odds of beating Los Angeles' other team. 

It feels like an eternity since these duos have squared off. The Lakers rostered Anthony Davis - remember that? The Rockets walked away with a narrow 119-115 victory. 

Since then, the Lakers have a new look. That could be advantageous to the Rockets. Their core has ample experience playing together, while the Lakers' star duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James should still be getting acquainted by the playoffs. 

Moreover, the Rockets could benefit from the Lakers' depleted frontcourt rotation. Alex Len and Jaxson Hayes will likely struggle to contain Alperen Sengun. Acquiring Doncic should make the Lakers a formidable force for years to come, but this year, it could jeopardize their playoff success. 

3. Memphis Grizzlies 

The Grizzlies feel like they should be a tough matchup for the Rockets. Ja Morant should be able to exploit Sengun in the pick-and-roll, and Jaren Jackson Jr. should keep the more athletic Rockets from getting downhill. 

So why have the Rockets already swept the season series? 

Don't get ahead of yourselves. The Rockets crushed Memphis in a 128-108 beatdown early in the season. Otherwise, all three of these games were determined by 1-to-4 points. The Rockets have bested the Grizzlies this year, but nobody should assume that will carry into the postseason. 

Still, it matters that the Rockets have been beating the Grizzlies all year. It gives them a psychological edge, and it's tangible evidence that they've got an advantage. If the Rockets wind up against them in the first round, it'll be a tough battle - but it's a good outcome for Houston. 

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 

Like the Clippers, the Rockets have met the Wolves three times. Unlike the Clippers, they don't seem to have an advantage on them. 

The Timberwolves have a 2-1 advantage in this matchup. They've beaten the Rockets by an average score to 117.0 to 114.13. Their recent 127-114 drubbing of the Rockets felt like a strong statement. 

This is a tough matchup for the Rockets. Rudy Gobert is equipped to at least slow Sengun down, and contain perimeter penetration from Amen Thompson and Jalen Green. Anthony Edwards is likely to win the one-on-one game with Green. 

Unfortunately, it only gets more difficult from here. 

1. Denver Nuggets 

It seems 128-108 is a magic score for the Rockets. That's the same result they saw when they faced the Nuggets for the only time this season so far. 

Let's not be fooled by one blowout. The Nuggets have improved as the season has progressed. This is a club that's two years removed from an NBA title. They'll push the Rockets as far as they can. 

It'll be interesting to keep an eye on this matchup as the season goes on. Still, a simple golden rule heavily favors the Nuggets here - in basketball, the team with the best player tends to win. Nikola Jokic is likely the best player in the NBA: 

The Rockets will need everything they have to overcome his Nuggets.