Houston (26-12) has already eclipsed its win totals from two seasons ago and is on pace for a 56-win campaign. The Rockets have won five of their last six games, including back-to-back nail-biting victories over the Memphis Grizzlies. Coach Ime Udoka believes his team is far from its ceiling. The Rockets’ success stems from their balanced roster. Jalen Green leads the team with 21 points per game, while Alperen Sengun is a double-double machine, averaging 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet adds another dimension with 15 points and 7.1 assists per game. Houston’s depth is evident, with seven players averaging double figures in scoring. This depth helped the Rockets win three of their four matchups against the

Newly ranked No. 23 Georgia will try to maintain its momentum when it faces No. 6 Tennessee on Wednesday night in a Southeastern Conference clash in Knoxville, Tenn. For the Bulldogs, this game offers an opportunity to solidify their national standing after entering the AP poll for the first time since 2011. Georgia (14-2, 2-1 SEC) vaulted into the rankings following consecutive victories over ranked opponents. The Bulldogs toppled then-No. 6 Kentucky 82-69 and followed with a 72-62 win against then-No. 17 Oklahoma. Despite the recognition, head coach Mike White is urging his team to stay grounded. “We’re just not going to do big picture,” White said. “We’ve got a ways to go. We do.” Asa Newell continues to anchor

Stanford is settling into its new Atlantic Coast Conference environment and will face a significant test of its adaptability as it travels to take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Wednesday night. The Cardinal (11-5, 3-2 ACC) enter the matchup on a high note, having secured two impressive home wins last week against Virginia Tech and Virginia. Their 88-65 rout of Virginia on Saturday showcased their offensive potential, marking the most points the Cavaliers have allowed this season. Stanford’s success has been anchored by forward Maxime Raynaud, who leads the ACC in both scoring (20.9 points per game) and rebounding (11.5 per game). Raynaud also tops the nation with 13 double-doubles this season, proving to be the centerpiece of

The New York Knicks’ bright start to January has quickly dimmed, as they face a critical matchup with the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Both teams are searching for solutions to their current struggles, hoping to regain momentum as the season reaches its midway point. After a nine-game winning streak that ended with a commanding victory over the Utah Jazz on January 1, the Knicks have stumbled, losing five of their last seven games. Their latest defeat—a 124-119 loss to the Detroit Pistons—highlighted a growing concern: defensive inconsistency. Despite an efficient offensive outing against Detroit, where Jalen Brunson dropped 31 points and dished out 11 assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart recorded double-doubles, the Knicks couldn’t contain Cade Cunningham’s