All-Star weekend is over and Rockets Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard are back with the team settling in for the final stretch before the postseason. Fewer than 30 games remain and the Rockets currently sit fourth in the Western Conference, one game behind the Nuggets and 7.5 back of the Thunder.

The Rockets would need to finish the season 19-10 to match their record last season, which is certainly possible. But, it’s unlikely it would find them sitting second in the West like last year unless there was a dramatic fall off from one of the teams ahead of them. Additionally, there are three teams between one-half and two games behind the Rockets, so nothing will be easy.

A few numbers on the remaining games for reference:

Home/Road: 16 home, 13 away
Combined Winning Percentage of Remaining Teams: .498
Toughest Stretch: March 5-11 – Warriors, Blazers (back-to-back), at Spurs, Raptors, at Nuggets (back-to-back)

It’s not a backbreaking schedule and it does include games against a number of the teams actively tanking like Utah, Milwaukee and Sacramento. But, it won’t be a cakewalk either. They play the Knicks, Lakers and Warriors twice each plus San Antonio, Denver and Minnesota on the road.

While this team is capable of going on a run, more likely this will be a battle with so many teams jostling for position. As a result, they cannot afford any more injuries. Losing Fred VanVleet before the season and Steven Adams just a few weeks ago really put them in a bind given how integral both were to Ime Udoka’s plans. They have done well without them, but any other losses could be incredibly damaging to their chances in the playoffs.

Which is why it would behoove the Rockets to be wary of Durant’s minutes in particular. He has been terrifically durable this season, but that has not been the case in recent years. With how much they rely on him offensively, any missed amount of time would be devastating.

Beyond that, if they can move up even one spot in the rankings, it will help them once the postseason comes around with seeding and matchups. They definitely don’t want to fall down to sixth or seventh and have to go on the road in the first round.

Nothing comes easy in the NBA and Rockets fans had better hope the team got its rest over the long weekend because they have a lot of work ahead.

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