2018-19 NBA Power Rankings: Rockets rise in Week 21

In Week 21 of NBA Power Rankings for the 2018-19 season, the Houston Rockets are surging as the elites at the top of each conference flounder.

As the 2018-19 campaign enters its home stretch, the contenders at the top of each conference are experiencing just how difficult the month of March can be.

The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors have all struggled over the last week or so, leaving ever-so-slight openings for teams like the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz to capitalize on their current place in the standings.

The Rockets are on a hot streak, winning six straight games to move to a three-way tie for the third-best record in the West. Considering how often Chris Paul and Clint Capela have been sidelined this season, what James Harden and company have been able to accomplish has been remarkable.

The Jazz, meanwhile, are experiencing yet another midseason turnaround that has them within striking distance of home-court advantage in the first round.

As the playoff races heat up and draft lottery reforms minimize tanking efforts, almost every game is important. Bearing all this in mind, it’s time for the latest batch of NBA Power Rankings.