NBA Power Rankings Week 3: Are the Golden State Warriors back?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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team. 169. . 3-4. Previous: 14th. Houston Rockets. 19

Last Week: Lost to Dallas Mavericks 113-100, Lost to Indiana Pacers 114-107, Beat Orlando Magic 132-90

This Week: 1/10 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/12 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/14 at San Antonio Spurs, 1/16 at San Antonio Spurs

It was another rough week for the Houston Rockets. They earned a much-needed win against the Orlando Magic to end the week in blowout fashion. Otherwise, the three games continued to only raise questions about how long until something changes.

James Harden specifically was mediocre this week. He posted a line of 18.0 points, 11.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds over the three games while shooting 32.3 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from distance. This could simply be a bad week but remembering a time when he had consecutive games scoring less than 20 points is a real brain teaser.

John Wall and Christian Wood have been fun, to say the least. Wood is not shooting the same from the 3-point line (25.9 percent this past week compared to 38.6 percent previously) but has otherwise been fantastic. He is averaging 23.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. He is shooting a robust 65.3 percent from the field. Wall has only appeared in five games. But if the season stopped today, he would have his best scoring season (21.2 points per game) since 2017.

The Rockets need to rip the bandage off and move on from Harden. This is no slight to him. There just happens to be something here with John Wall and Christian Wood. Eric Gordon is playing much better this year. If the Rockets get some sort of return that focuses on the present, they should be immediately competitive. But for now, they are going to struggle to beat playoff-caliber opponents.