I didn’t see this coming.
Houston had won 12 straight when they learned that Yao Ming was going to miss the rest of the season with a fracture in his foot. I figured that was the beginning of the end of the Rockets’ playoff hopes, but the team has since rattled off seven more wins, including victories over Denver, New Orleans and Dallas. The team hasn’t lost since 1/27.
In total, the Rockets have won 23 of their last 24 and 28 of their last 31, so this streak is no fluke. Houston is doing it with defense. According to ESPN’s John Hollinger, they have the league’s second-best defensive efficiency. Offensively, they’re getting good production from Tracy McGrady and a team of role players, anchored by Rafer Alston and Shane Battier.
The Rockets’ streak has kept the pressure on the #4-#9 teams in the West. It’s clear that a good team is going to miss the postseason.
Streaks aside, if Houston can’t get past the first round of the playoffs, the same questions about T-Mac’s postseason toughness will be asked…again.
