The Rockets went 3-2 this week, bringing their record to 12-6. Sunday, they destroyed the Bulls, 143-107, on the road. They then lost to the Bucks, in Milwaukee, 101-100, blowing a late lead, after rallying from a first-half deficit. On Wednesday, they returned home to beat the Indiana Pacers, 130-113. And then on Friday, they toppled the Blazers at the Toyota Center 116-88. On Saturday, they lost a close game in a home rematch to the Blazers, 104-98.

Despite the two losses, the Rockets sit in third place in the West, just one game out of the conference lead from the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder. Few would have bet on Houston being this high in the standings, this deep into the season.

The competition this week is getting tougher. The Rockets will take Sunday and Monday off before traveling to Minnesota to visit the new-look Timberwolves, fresh off a close Sunday night loss to Boston. The Wolves are just 8-8. They will then fly to Philadelphia to visit the most disappointing team in the league, the 3-13 76ers, a team that entered the season with high title hopes but saw everything fall apart due to of an injury. The matchup will pit guard Jared McCain, the early favorite for Rookie of the Year, against Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick in this summer’s draft.

After 18 games, the Rockets are fourth in the league with a +8.8 net rating. They are second overall in defense, with a defensive rating of 103.7, behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets’ Achilles heel continues to be the team’s offense, as they are just 15th in the league with an offensive rating of 112.5.

Reed Rounded Shape

The Rockets will take a close look at early favorite for Rookie of the Year Jared McCain, but the preseason favorite among experts was none other than Rockets guard Reed Sheppard. Sheppard has struggled so far, looking uncomfortable and unsure of himself in Houston’s offense. But the 6’3 guard has slowly returned to form, now shooting 38.5% from long range this season.

Sheppard opened the year shooting just 28 percent from three-point range through his first 13 games. But in his last five games, he’s shot 57.1 percent from deep, with 2.8 attempts per game.

If Sheppard can increase his production and maintain his accuracy, it would be a huge boon for head coach Ime Udoka, whose team is in dire need of outside shooting. The Rockets are just 28th in the league in three-point accuracy, shooting 32.5 percent from deep.

The long-term plan is for Sheppard to eventually supplant starting point guard Fred VanVleet. The team has an option on the final season of VanVleet’s contract, next season. At this point, it doesn’t seem like the Rockets are ready to let go of their reliance on the veteran.