NBA Power Rankings: Where Are Houston Rockets After Win Streak Snaps?

The Houston Rockets win streak ended at 11 games. Where does that put the team in this week's power rankings?

By Jeremy Brener

Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) reacts after a play
Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) reacts after a play / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets are going back to the drawing board after losing Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks.

The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak that brought the Rockets back to relevancy and just outside the Play-In Tournament picture. However, the defeat also pushed the Rockets back a spot in CBS Sports' latest power rankings from No. 17 to 18.

Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives with the ball as
Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives with the ball as / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"Well, the Rockets screwed up and lost a game, but they're still well within striking distance of the final Play-In spot after that pivotal 11-game winning streak brought them back from the postseason graveyard," CBS Sports writes. "Jalen Green continues to build momentum toward next season, averaging 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists this week on 41% 3-point shooting."

The Rockets still have desires to make the postseason, but they will have to win as many of their final eight games in order to do so, possibly all of them in order to have a shot since the Golden State Warriors hold the tiebreaker for the No. 10 seed.

The journey starts this week with a challenge tonight on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are currently a game back of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Then, the Rockets return home for an all-important, must-win matchup with the Warriors before going up north to face the Mavs in a rematch on Sunday afternoon.