The SB Nation community has spoken loud and clear: a whopping 68 percent of fans are betting the Houston Rockets will hit at least 51 wins this season, making it their third straight year clearing that mark. That’s a strong vote of confidence, especially considering how tight the Western Conference race was last season, with spots three through five separated by only two games. Every single win is gonna count like crazy, no doubt.
Durant’s Arrival and the First Round Blues
Man, what a ride it’s been for the Rockets since the start of the decade. They had that franchise-changing trade in 2021 that sent James Harden, their best player for almost a decade, packing. That sent them straight to rock bottom, ending up in the lottery for several seasons. But things shifted. They went from a young, struggling squad to a veteran-led team, designed for deep playoff runs. They even made the playoffs the past two seasons, winning 52 games both times! But let’s be real, Emerald City, that’s where the frustration kicks in. Despite all the hype after landing Kevin Durant last offseason in a blockbuster trade, they bowed out in the first round both years. Getting past that first round for the first time since 2020? That’s the real goal now, heading into year two of the Durant era.
Can VanVleet and the New Guys Break Through?
So, what’s the plan to get past that first-round wall? The Rockets are banking on the return of Fred VanVleet and the additions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. The front office and coaching staff are making it clear they believe these moves are enough. But not everyone’s buying it. A good chunk of fans, 32 percent to be exact, think the Rockets might actually go backward this season, winning fewer than 51 games. After last season’s disappointing finish and no “big splash” this offseason like they made last summer, you can kinda see why some confidence might be shaken. Still, our buddy over at SB Nation threw out a bold prediction: if the Rockets can keep a full roster healthy, they could totally hit 55 wins. That would be huge, because 55 wins should be enough to snag home-court advantage, something they definitely didn’t have last playoff.
This season, for Houston, it’s not just about hitting 51 or 52 wins again, right? It’s about that next step. Can they get to 55 wins, grab that home-court advantage, and finally push past the first round? FanDuel Sportsbook has them at plus 470 to win 55 games or more. That’s a serious payout if they make that jump, and it would truly mark a new chapter for the Rockets.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Dream Shake.
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