Rockets Ranked Fourth according to Hollinger's Rankings

Being a Las Vegas resident, I have to point out the last odds I saw for the Rockets to win the title is 125-1. That is significant value IMO. Of course it's very unlikely, but if we get hot at the right time I think we can beat anyone. Especially if we can solidify our power forward position.
We are 65-1 to win the Western Conference. That might actually be better value as I think any team from the west is an underdog to the Miami Heat.
For an example of terrible value, the Lakers are 35-1 to win the title. I'd put them at 4-1 to make the playoffs. And at least 20-1 to get past the first round.
In a nutshell, bet the Rockets to win the West at 65-1 if you can get it. Anything 25-1 or more is probably value.

 

Our expected W-L is 35-23 according to basketball reference. Why do we only have 31 wins? Poor luck? Poor coaching?

 

I think it has alot to do with us being a young team and being relatively volatile with our play. We have had games this season where we look absolutely dominant; just plain running good teams off the floor. Our games against memphis and golden state to name a few. Also most of the games we have one this season ( most ) we have played really well and won relatively big. When we lose , in general its not by a bunch so that makes our total point differentail look really good. I wouldnt put us at 4th but i also wouldnt count out the fact that if we hit a hot streak we can play like a top 5 team. This teams talent level is that of a future contender provided some of our players mature. The fact that we are the 8th seed primarily reflects our youth and inexperience. I can see us giving the top 2 seeds a hell of a series if we play well. Not that i think we will win, but i highly doubt we will get swept, there will be at least a few games where we are on fire and have a good shot at winning.

 

Because the Rockets do one thing that most other teams don't(or can't?) do. They have 3rd stringers who come in and play team basketball. Generally in garbage time it's a bunch of isos and lackdaiscial play. But the Rockets when you see Beverley, Anderson, etc. They play with energy, speed, and pass the ball around. Therefore making 20 point blowouts into 30 or 40 point blowouts.

Take away 10 points from each of our huge blowouts, and our record would look a lot more in lien with our predicted record.