Houston Rockets

In their quest to return back to the postseason, the Houston Rockets have carved out an identity with viselike defense and athleticism across the rotation. Stifling the Philadelphia 76ers’ offensive attack, Houston gets an early start on February’s Slam Dunk Contest, leaking out for a 3-on-2 with Jae’Sean Tate finding Cam Whitmore for a gravity-defying alley-oop jam. In spite of the narrow loss, the Rockets hung tight against one of the NBA’s elite, with six players scoring 13 or more points in the shootout on January 15, 2024.