The Tank Is On
01/23/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Rockets Drop 13th Straight Game as Houston Leads the NBA’s Tank Race
The NBA may have done everything in its power to prevent tanking for the 2022-23 season, but the Rockets are becoming tank artists. Houston dropped its 13th straight game this weekend in a loss to the Timberwolves (113-104) where they got dunked on left and right. The Rockets have also lost 18 of their last 20, and they’ve done it without appearing obvious. And while no NBA team is purposely throwing games, the Rockets have little to play for the rest of the way. They’re 10-36 and on track for the worst record in the league. The Pistons, Spurs, and Hornets are also in line for the No. 1 overall pick. The three worst teams will have a 14% chance to secure the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Here’s an updated look at the teams vying for 7-foot-2 Victor Wembanyama.
NBA Draft Lottery Odds
T1. Rockets (10-36) — 14%
T1. Pistons (12-36) — 14%
T1. Hornets (13-34) — 14%
4. Spurs (14-23) — 12.5%
5. Magic (17-29) — 10.5%
Other NBA Highlights
Kyrie Drops 48: The high-point man this weekend was Kyrie Irving with a 48-11-6 outing in the Nets’ win over the Jazz on Friday (117-106). Irving went 18-for-29 from the floor with a season-high eight 3s.
Ant Pours In 44: Anthony Edwards put on a show in Minnesota on Saturday when the Timberwolves handed the Rockets their 13th straight loss (113-104) behind Edwards’ 44 points. He shot 17-for-29 with eight 3s and a flurry of poster dunks. Last week, he became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 500 career 3s.
SGA Snaps Nuggets Streak: The Nuggets’ nine-game win streak came to a halt on Sunday thanks to the Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning layup (101-99). SGA finished with 34 points and OKC has won seven of their last 10.
Photo: David Berding / Getty Images