Rockets are down 1.5 games from 8th place and 1 game behind Utah for 9th. Clearly, the race has tightened.
I don't have the energy to do an analysis of all the teams' schedules, but here is Houston's from here on out:
March
18 - Boston
20 - Uta
23 - GS
27 @ Mia
29 @ NJ
30 @ Phi
April
1 – SA
3 – Atl
5 – Sac
6 – @ NO
9 – LAC
11 – Dal
13 – @ Min
This is a schedule that includes Boston, Miami, San Antonio, Dallas and Utah. With the exception of Miami, we play the toughest teams at home, but this is still a murderous schedule. It gets them tough games at home and sets up possible upsets on the road because they'll be so tired from their homestand.