In order to make the NBA play-in tournament, the Houston Rockets have to be better than at least five other Western Conference teams.
This was the basis of a useful thought exercise after last season, when the stated goal in hiring Ime Udoka and signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks was to elevate the Rockets into playoff contention.
How many teams in the West are the Rockets better than, and is the number anywhere close to five?
Headed into the All-Star break, the answer is no. Houston is the 12th seed, three games out of the 10-spot.