In less than a month, Orlando will be the home for 22 NBA teams participating in the league’s attempt to conclude the 2019-20 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. When the season recommences, the Houston Rockets will be in the heart of a congested Western Conference race with the expectations of possessing the Larry O’Brien trophy come mid-October.
Although they are entering the restart sitting sixth in the conference with a 40-24 record, chemistry may be Houston’s most significant advantage when challenging their contemporaries. Several of the league’s top contenders will return to play without one of their key members, including the Lakers, who lost their best perimeter defender in Avery Bradley — who declined the invitation to return.