With so many of the top teams dropping games to opponents locked into the lottery, the Rockets brought an eight-game winning streak, their longest of the season, into Monday's game against the Hornets. Though Wednesday will bring a far more high-profile game against the Warriors, the Rockets said they have avoided some of the let-up losses they had during other parts of the season because of how much remains at stake.
"I think we've kept our focus because we're not looking to just make the playoffs," Rockets guard Austin Rivers said. "When you're trying to win, you're trying to get the best seeding possible.