Houston Rockets Still in Driver's Seat for In-Season Tournament
The Houston Rockets are still in control of their own destiny when it comes to the In-Season Tournament. However, Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets at home could result in elimination with a loss.
West Group B is the only group out of the six where every team has a loss. Currently, the New Orleans Pelicans, by virtue of their win against the Nuggets last week, have the tiebreaker and are in first place. However, the Rockets' win against the Pelicans would give them the edge in any two-team tiebreaker, which is where Houston will be if it beats Denver on Friday.
The Rockets beat the Nuggets at home earlier this year, and they will have to do it again if they want to remain alive for the first-ever In-Season Tournament title.
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. scores against Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the second quarter at Toyota Center.
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If the Rockets can beat the Nuggets tomorrow and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, their 3-1 record would be enough for them to win Group B. That being said, a loss would ensure that the Rockets cannot win Group B, because the Nuggets would hold a 3-1 record, which would be impossible for Houston to achieve.
The wild card spot is also likely out of consideration for the Rockets. A 3-1 record would give the Rockets the group win, and there are currently two undefeated teams in Group C (Sacramento Kings & Minnesota Timberwolves), as well as a 2-1 Phoenix Suns team with one game left against the Memphis Grizzlies, where their point differential will be tough to overcome.
The Rockets and Nuggets are set to tip off on Friday at 7 p.m. CDT inside Toyota Center.
