With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are no longer an option for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for in the final week of the 2021-22 season.
From now until the regular season’s conclusion on Sunday, April 10, we’re updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft lottery odds and positioning.
Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.
After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of April 4, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.
Editor’s note: There are no NBA games on Monday due to the NCAA’s Division 1 national championship game in college basketball. The next update in this series will come Tuesday night.
Lottery Race Update: Houston, Orlando operate like never-oiled machines, Indiana gets its first signature loss of the year while the Presti Plan backfires with unfathomable triumph. Standings:
1. Orlando 20-59
1. Houston 20-59
3. Detroit 23-56
4. OKC 23-55
5. Indiana 25-54— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 4, 2022