NBA Standings: Can Rockets Get Over .500?
The Houston Rockets are 31-35 after winning four straight games and seven of their last eight.
They are making a final "Hail Mary" push for the postseason, sitting 3.5 games behind the 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors.
But can the Rockets defy the odds, claw back to .500 and make the Play-In Tournament? Bleacher Report doesn't believe so, projecting the Rockets to finish 36-46 to end the season.
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
"Houston hasn't been wiped out of the play-in tournament race yet, but one more losing skid might effectively seal its fate," Bleacher Report writes. "And if the Rockets have nothing to play for, their losses could pile up late."
The next two weeks are critical for the Rockets' playoffs hopes. After playing the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday night, their next four games come against teams that are currently under .500. If they can sweep those games, their chances remain intact, but one loss could completely derail their hopes if the Warriors keep winning themselves.
On April 4, the Rockets and Warriors meet for one final regular season matchup, and that game could ultimately dictate who gets the No. 10 seed.
But this is an extremely uphill battle for the Rockets, even with their recent surge. Playing without Cam Whitmore and Alperen Sengun will be difficult for the team, but if they can overcome this obstacle, they may be able to get them for the final games of the regular season and playoffs if they get that far.
The Rockets and Cavs are set to tip off at 4 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon inside the Toyota Center.
