Rockets Face Crucial Tests in Western Conference Race

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NBA News Today. Subscribe to Keep Up With Every Headline. The Western Conference playoff race is tighter than ever. The Houston Rockets sit in third place, deadlocked with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver Nuggets Trail, by just one game, while the Los Angeles Lakers hold sixth, only two games behind Houston. This weekend brings huge tests for the Rockets, with back-to-back home games. They face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, followed by the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Coming out of the All-Star break, Houston targeted at least six wins in their first nine games. Right now, they stand at five wins and two losses, so splitting or sweeping these could hit or exceed that mark. Injuries have hammered the Rockets all season. Steven Adams and Fred VanVeliet are done for the year. Dorian Finney Smith missed time until Christmas, and key players like Tara Eason, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. are nursing recent ailments.

1:02Coach Aime Udoca must balance pushing hard now against the brutal schedule ahead. Holding on to a top seed, boost their shot at a deep postseason run. Dean and a sponsor by our partner. Check out the episode description. Sali Pillow is a pillow with built-in headphones. Layback, press play, and disappear into what you are listening to. S-O-L-L-I,