The Houston Rockets' playoff hopes were slim just a month ago. They were left for dead in the Western Conference after Alperen u015eengün's ankle injury. But Houston still has life in the chase for the No. 10 spot and a play-in berth. If you haven't been tracking the West standings of late, you may want to start.
Ime Udoka's squad advanced to 34–35 on the season with Thursday's 127-117 home victory over the Chicago Bulls. The win marked the Rockets' seventh consecutive victory and their ninth in the last 10 games, and as the regular season nears its close, Houston is now nearing some seriously-established competition.