HOUSTON -- The Rockets extended their winning streak to five games with Friday's dominant 133-96 victory (box score) over the in-state and Southwest Division rival Dallas Mavericks. The win gave Houston the division lead for the first time in weeks.
With the victory and a simultaneous Memphis loss, Houston improved to 42-25 and is now among the top-four teams in the Western Conference standings — which would put the Rockets in line to have home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. By winning its 42nd game of the 82-game regular season, the Rockets have guaranteed themselves a winning season for the first time since 2019-20.