Yao is out, but are the Rockets. Sitting currently in the number seven seed is the Houston Rockets, who have won thirteen straight games. After losing Yao Ming for the rest of the season and the playoffs, the speculation was that the Rockets have no chance anymore. I think that their win over Washington (though it’s Washington) without Yao, may have put some of that doubt to rest, at least it did with me.  I feel that they will struggle some without him, but don’t count them out of the playoffs. I would see these guys at the number six seed come playoff time.