NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streaking

NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streak in the penultimate week

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react in front of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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NBA, 76ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

30. Houston Rockets

Last Week: Lost to New York Knicks 122-97, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 135-115, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 141-133, Lost to Utah Jazz 124

This Week: 5/10 at Portland Trail Blazers, 5/12 at Los Angeles Lakers, 5/14 vs. LA Clippers, 5/16 at Atlanta Hawks

For the Houston Rockets, the season realistically ended months ago when they were 11-10 and Christian Wood went out with an injury. Since then the Rockets have gone a stunning 5-42. There is tanking and then there is what the Houston Rockets have been doing. At this point, the Rockets would have to win out just to tie the next worst team (the Detroit Pistons or Minnesota Timberwolves) without either team winning a game.

This is the one team in the league that has been left aside, with nothing really to play for. The young talent on the team is developing, but they are without a franchise player to this point. That is the goal of the draft this year, and the Rockets should be able to do bring someone back. Should is the operative word, as the Rockets can fall as low as fifth in the draft with the top odds. If the worst did happen the pick would convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the last week of the season, fans of the Houston Rockets should enjoy the young players who actually take the court. Kenyon Martin Jr. has been cooking of late, averaging 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game over the last week. The newly signed Khyri Thomas showed out on Saturday night, dropping 27 points, five steals, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks on the Utah Jazz. Watch them and hope for lottery luck in a few weeks.