NBA, Where 10th to 1st Place Happens, What's Next for Rockets

After defeating the Lakers, the team that was tied with them, the Rockets stand alone at the top of the west, winning 104-92. "Skip to my Lou" Rafer Alston was amazing dropping career highs of eight 3 pointers and 31 points while Bobby Jackson came off the bench for 19 points and 6 rebounds. T-Mac was ice cold in the first half, but he had 8 of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 6 assists. The thing about T-Mac, he'll be there when it counts.

Just about every player on the Rockets pitched in. Luis Scola had a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Mike Harris, signed to a 10-day contract, had 6 points and 6 rebounds. Chuck Hayes had 3 points and 6 rebounds while Luther Head contributed 7 points. Dikembe Mutombo had 9 rebounds and a block, while Shane Battier had 14 points and a late game block on Kobe Bryant. All around team effort.

Speking of Kobe, he had 24 points and 7 rebounds while Lamar Odom had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Vladimir Radmonovic had only 5 points, despite starting, but had 5 rebounds to go along with Ronny Turiaf, getting the start in Pau Gasol's place, had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Luke Wal;ton had 9 points, Jordan Farmar had 8, Sasha Vujacic had 7, Derek Fisher had 6 and D.J. Mbenga had 3. No player on the Lakers had more than 3 assists.

The Rockets continue to roll after breaking the first place tie and claim supremacy, but their record doesn't get any easier after this. They'll have to go to Boston to take on the Celtics, who came off of their first home loss to a Western Conference team, the Utah Jazz. After that, home games to the Hornets, Warriors and Suns. They've gone 22-0. 26-0 would be amazing if they pass all of these teams. With a the team like the Rockets, it's not impossible.