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Power Rankings: Where Are Rockets After All-Star Break?

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rockets
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated 2/22/24

The Houston Rockets are 24-30 up until the All-Star Break.

The team struggled on the road, especially in the last two weeks without Fred VanVleet, losing their last six away from Toyota Center.

However, all things considered, the Rockets are better than they have been, which prompted them to clock in at No. 19 in CBS Sports' power rankings, three spots higher than the previous week.

"Ime Udoka has taken the Rockets from the 29th-ranked defense in the NBA a season ago to sixth(!) this year," CBS Sports writes. "Surely the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks help in that department, but Udoka has gotten buy-in from the young guys as well, a positive sign moving forward as Houston looks to become a legitimate playoff contender."

Udoka will get VanVleet back for the stretch run as the All-Star point guard has been cleared for action and is expected to play tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans and tomorrow against the Phoenix Suns at home.

The game against the Suns begins a five-game stretch where the Rockets only play Phoenix (three times) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (two times) in a five-game span that lasts until the beginning of March.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rockets and was syndicated with permission.

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