HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets fell to the No. 4 seed after losses by both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Houston needed a win by the Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggests for a No. 2 seed in the playoffs. A win by the Kings against the Portland Trail Blazers would have given the Rockets the No. 3 seed, even with a win by Denver.
But Portland's rotation of just six players came back from more than 25 points down to win. And Minnesota coughed up a late lead to Denver.
So Houston is the No. 4 seed with home court advantage against the No. 5 seed Utah Jazz, a familiar foe for the Rockets.
Last season, Houston beat the Jazz in five games to advance to the Western Conference finals.
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