Houston Rockets: playoff chances and predictions

Q: Will the Houston Rockets make the playoffs?

Our model gives them est. >99% as of Oct 9 (a top-6 seed or a spot through the play-in), with a title chance of est. 14%. It's a projection from the data and it changes as the season goes.

Every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final, so you can check how we've done on Rockets games. How accurate →

Will the Houston Rockets make the playoffs? Our model says est. >99% as of Oct 9, with a title chance of est. 14%.

Making the playoffs = a top-6 seed in the West or a spot through the play-in. Preseason draft · the projection on record is locked Mon Oct 19.

power ranking of 30

+8.5

strength per 100 possessions

est. wins (range 53–64)

est. 14%

title chance

Team strength

Our model rates the Rockets 8.5 points per 100 possessions better than an average team, #2 of 30. Strength comes from the current roster's lineup ratings, minutes-weighted. 52 wins last season.

Who drives it	Min	Rating
Amen Thompson	25	+4.9
Fred VanVleet	25	+4.9
Kevin Durant	25	+3.8
Steven Adams	16	+5.9
Marcus Smart	20	+4.1

Chances this season

From 5,000 simulated seasons. Estimates, not promises; nobody is "in" or "out" until it's mathematically settled.

Make the playoffs	est. >99%
Play-in (7th to 10th)	est. <1%
No. 1 seed in the West	est. 11%
Win the West	est. 23%
Win the title	est. 14%

All 30 teams on the Season page →

Next game

Next: Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets, Wed, Oct 21, 8:30 PM ET.

Preseason: picks start Oct 20. Our pick posts before tip-off.

Every Rockets pick, graded

Preseason: picks start Oct 20; every one gets graded in public. Every graded pick →

Quick answers

Will the Houston Rockets make the playoffs?

Our model gives them est. >99% as of Oct 9 (a top-6 seed or a spot through the play-in), with a title chance of est. 14%. It's a projection from the data and it changes as the season goes.

When do the Rockets play next?

Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets, Wed, Oct 21. Our pick posts before tip-off (preseason: picks start oct 20).

How accurate are niftiIQ's Rockets predictions?

Every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final, in public. Picks start Oct 20.

How this works

Team strength comes from each roster's lineup ratings; the rest of the schedule is simulated 5,000 times for the season chances. Game picks come from a model that retrains before every run, and every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final. How it works · All 30 teams · NBA FAQ