The Rockets have spent much of the month of March in the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings, but things are changing with Houston’s recent winning streak.
Friday’s blowout victory over Dallas was the fifth straight for the Rockets (42-25). Elsewhere in the NBA, Cleveland won big at Memphis to drop the Grizzlies to that same record — and Houston has already clinched that tiebreaker based on head-to-head results.
The Lakers (40-25) lost later in the night to the Nuggets (43-24), which also moved Houston in front of Los Angeles by a game.
Thus, with 15 games left to play in the 2024-25 regular season, Houston is now in the West’s No. 3 spot and leads the Southwest Division (which also helps with potential tiebreaker rules). The Grizzlies are currently at No. 4, and the Lakers at No. 5. If the Rockets can sustain that placement, it would mean home-court advantage in at least one round of the NBA playoffs, and it would be just the ninth division title in franchise history.
Out of nearly 60 years as an NBA franchise, Houston has only eight division titles, with its most recent coming in the 2019-20 season. That was the last time prior to 2024-25 that the Rockets had a winning season, which Friday’s victory (the 42nd of an 82-game regular season) officially clinched. That was also the last time the Rockets made the playoffs.
As is the case for most teams, division championships are recognized on a banner hanging inside Toyota Center, Houston’s home arena.
Per Tankathon, Houston (No. 18) has an easier remaining schedule than both Memphis (No. 8) and the Lakers (No. 4), who are missing superstar forward LeBron James due to injury for the time being. The Rockets have a slightly easier schedule than Denver (No. 11), as well, which is only a half-game ahead of Houston for the West’s No. 2 seed.
Holding the No. 2 seed would ensure home-court advantage in at least two rounds of the playoffs, presuming a victory in the first-round series.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In fifth straight win, Rockets move into division lead, No. 3 in West
