After losing in Dallas December 8, the Rockets found themselves at 11-14 on the season, 14th place in the Western Conference, but they are 36-13 since and clinched a playoff berth with Sunday's 113-90 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
It marks the seventh straight season the Rockets will be playoff bound, matching a franchise record last done by the Hakeem Olajuwon led teams from 1993-99.
Sunday's win improves the Rockets to 47-27 on the season, and moves them a game up on Portland for third place in the West.
The Rockets took the lead on James Harden's layup 23 seconds into the game and led from that point on. Harden and Eric Gordon scored a dozen points apiece as the Rockets led 33-19 after a quarter. Harden added nine points as the Rockets tacked on five points to their lead in the second quarter. Houston's lead grew to as many as 28 after halftime and never fell below 14 as the Rockets have now won 14-of-16 since losing to the Lakers right after the All Star Break.
Harden's 28 points led the Rockets. He played just 29 minutes, none in the fourth quarter, while Gordon added 18.
Danuel House scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting off the bench.
Frank Jackson's 19 points led Pelicans, who drop to 31-44.
Up next for the Rockets will be a visit to the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night.
