The Houston Rockets are sitting atop the NBA with a 49-13 record, and their red-hot form has caught the attention of Melbet Affiliates and basketball analysts alike. NBA legend Scottie Pippen recently weighed in, calling the Rockets the best team in the league right now. However, he added a note of caution—when playoff time rolls around, all bets are off.
Following their statement win over the Boston Celtics, the Rockets extended their winning streak to 15 games—the second-longest in franchise history behind only their 22-game run in 2008. They’ve also climbed to the top of multiple power rankings across major sports media outlets. “The Rockets are without question the best team in the NBA today,” Pippen said. “But I’m not sure they’ll still hold that title in June. The Warriors are cruising now, and come playoffs, they’ll reach another gear.” This balanced take is shared by Melbet Affiliates, who continue to monitor Houston’s trajectory with cautious optimism.
The Rockets are closing in on their best regular season ever, needing just 10 more wins from their remaining 20 games to set a new franchise record. Yet the postseason is an entirely different animal. Under coach Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors have reached three straight Finals and won two titles. They’ve been Houston’s nemesis, eliminating them in the 2015 Western Conference Finals and again in the 2016 first round, both by a 4-1 margin.
This season, though, the Rockets look transformed. The addition of Chris Paul has eased the pressure on James Harden, giving Houston another elite ball handler and clutch scorer. Harden no longer has to shoulder every offensive possession deep into the fourth quarter, which has helped him stay fresh and finish games stronger—a key shift noticed by Melbet Affiliates and fans alike.
On the defensive end, Houston made smart moves in the offseason by adding P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute to bolster perimeter defense. Alongside Trevor Ariza and others, they’ve created a versatile lineup capable of switching screens and disrupting opposing offenses. The result? A balanced team with an offensive rating of 113.4—second only to the Warriors—and a defensive rating of 104.5, good for 10th in the league. Since February, their defense has tightened even more, ranking top 5 with a 102.3 rating. Their net point differential of +8.8 currently leads the NBA.
Still, the postseason remains unpredictable—anything can happen in a seven-game series. But one thing is clear: the era of Golden State’s total dominance in the West may be nearing its end. As Stephen Curry himself admitted, the Rockets are now the Warriors’ biggest threat. If the two teams meet in the playoffs, fans—and Melbet Affiliates—can expect fireworks. It’ll be a clash of titans that could shake the league to its core.