The incredible win streak for the Houston Rockets has been a great story to follow the last several weeks as many counted out the Rockets this season, especially after the injury to Yao Ming. Houston has climbed to within a game and a half of the top spot in the Western Conference but even with the great win streak, the Rockets can not feel perfectly comfortable about holding on to a playoff spot. The Western Conference is so stacked with quality teams and the Rockets have a tough road ahead, so all the positive attention could lead to trouble down the stretch despite how well things are going right now.

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Houston has had a favorable schedule during the win streak but the Rockets have won seven games against winning teams, including two wins against New Orleans, two wins against Cleveland, and wins over Golden State, Dallas, and Denver. 13 of the 19 wins came at home where the Rockets are 24-9 this season however and there are only three road wins against winning teams during the streak and only eight all season long. Defense is the name of the game for the Rockets and Houston has not allowed an opponent to score over 100 points in 17 of the last 19 wins. The Rockets offense does not get enough credit however as Houston has scored at least 100 points in eight of the last ten games while keeping up great defensive numbers.

The upcoming schedule is very difficult for Houston as eleven of the final 19 games take place on the road. Of the eight remaining home games, three are against elite teams hosting the Lakers, Celtics, and Suns. The road schedule is very tough, including a six-game trip starting in San Antonio at the end of March. Of the eleven road games remaining this season, seven come against Western Conference teams with winning records that will all be looking to chase down the Rockets.

Just to show how tough the Western Conference is, before the streak Houston was a winning team, at 24-20. The Rockets have produced one of the best win streaks in the history of the NBA, yet have not ascended to the top of the conference. The Rockets are only six games ahead of the Denver Nuggets right now, and Denver would not make the playoffs if they started this week. In the current playoff bracket the Rockets would face the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had the top record in the Western Conference just a few weeks ago and despite being three positions behind the Rockets in the seeding, the Suns have just one less win than the Rockets do.

Looking at the remaining schedule for the rest of the teams in the playoff mix in the Western Conference also provides some concern for Houston. Only the Hornets face as many remaining road games and several teams like the Mavericks, Lakers, and Jazz face substantially fewer road games. Many conference opponents face easier schedules in terms of the remaining opponents as well. The Rockets will get the opportunity to play nine of the top ten teams in the Western Conference in the remaining schedule, but seven of those match-ups will occur on the road, with home and road games against the Suns left to play.

It has been a remarkable run for the Rockets and it should be enjoyed as a truly great accomplishment but Houston needs to keep the pedal on the gas as the rest of the conference is still packed together with them in the standings. Houston is playing great ball right now but they need to recognize that the schedule is going to get more challenging and there is still very little margin for error. The Rockets are now relying on several young, inexperienced players and they will need to prove they can win in meaningful games down the stretch as well. The streak could be in jeopardy very soon as the Rockets face five straight games against playoff teams from March 16 to March 22.