More on the Rockets

The Rockets lost Yao Ming for the season this week.
The Western Conference is tougher than ever.

None of this matters to them. They won their 15th straight game tonight, beating up the Nuggets 103-89. The Rockets went 3-0 this week, despite losing Yao. They won those three games against Washington, Memphis and Denver by an average of 20 points.
Memphis is obviously horrible, Houston is banged up, but Denver is definitely competing with Houston for a playoff spot. Regardless, winning three games like that after losing Yao and while on the NBA's longest streak of the year is impressive.

This team is playing some great basketball, they deserve some credit.

Dikembe Mutumbo has once again played solid minutes in Yao's absence. Luis Scola's numbers have jumped big time as well, and Battier put on a shooting display today. Rookie forward Charles Landry has also given them some great minutes this week as well. Add to that, Rafer Alston is playing at a very high level as well.

It's scary that a team can win 15 games in a row in February, heading into March and barely be out of an eighth seed. Portland had that awesome 14 game streak awhile ago and they're at the 10th seed. The West is ridiculous.

The main thing for the Rockets is getting to the playoffs at this point, I think they have what it takes, but the real thing is, can they make it out of the first round? T-Mac has never been able to do this, he's struggled with it. Even him and Yao together haven't been able to get it done, can he do it without Yao at this point?

If the playoffs started today, the Rockets would play Utah. I don't think the Rockets have a chance against Utah in a seven game series, especially with Yao hurt. The Rockets will be fighting up until April to get a playoff spot, many teams in the West probably will. By the time the playoffs roll around, I think T-Mac and the Rockets (especially starting center Dikembe Mutmbo and rookie Luis Scola) are going to be completely out of juices after a tough run to make the elite 8 of the conference.

About three weeks ago, I was questioning T-Mac's drive...again. I think a lot of people thought he might have been on his way out of Houston, I know I had a bit of a feeling it could happen. T-Mac is still a Rocket, he's playing great ball and he's leading a Yao Mingless Rockets team AGAIN. For the time being, you have to take the Rockets seriously, but this week is going to be tough with games against Indiana, Dallas (in the Big D) and New Orleans, can they make it to 18 in a row?

If anything, Rick Adelman might just be trying to get some Coach of the Year votes.

Note: 15 wins ties the franchise mark for longest winning streak.