4) Houston Rockets (5-2)
Last month: 2
Chris Paul’s bum knee hasn’t derailed the Houston Rockets, but it will slow his team’s efforts to build chemistry. Aside from an opening night win over the Golden State Warriors, the Rockets’ wins have largely come against vastly inferior competition. In their two losses to the Memphis Grizzlies, they missed their floor general.
As it is, Mike D’antoni’s club has looked pretty average. Houston’s meager net rating of 1.5 ranks No. 14 league-wide. And despite shooting more 3-pointers than anyone in the Association, they’re making just 31 percent of their attempts.
In CP3’s absence, Eric Gordon has averaged nearly 24 points per contest. However, he’s shooting just 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range.