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NBA Power Rankings: The Houston Rockets are a real threat

By Brandon Jefferson

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is in today's FanDuel daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is in today's FanDuel daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) reacts to a foul call in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) reacts to a foul call in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
13

Charlotte Hornets 20-19

Last week: 3-5
Last rank: 11th

Kemba Walker is really darn good at this whole basketball thing and Steve Clifford is just as good–if not better–at coaching it. The Hornets are always in every game they play and the main reason for that would be their ability to defend at a high-level. They currently sit at 10th in the NBA in defensive rating. They’re coming off a rough six-game stretch that featured games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs (the Thunder being the only team they defeated in those six games). Losing Nic Batum to a hyperextended knee hasn’t helped Charlotte and once he returns (they believe he’ll be back by the end of the month) the Hornets could put together a nice winning streak and find themselves back in the top half of the East’s standings. With Walker and Batum playing at such high-levels this team will be pretty hard to ignore as the season rolls on.
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