The Houston Rockets showcased great defense in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, proving why they deserve to be in championship conversations.

The Houston Rockets Houston gets an A on their report card halfway through the season. They have been succeeding all expectations so far this season. Ime Udoka

Houston (29-14, No. 2 in West) is the only team with wins this season over both the Thunder and Cavaliers, who are tied for the NBA’s best record.

Utah now continues its road trip against the best in the west, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lu Dort was ejected for his hit on Daniel Gafford in the third quarter during Thursday's game between the Thunder and Mavericks.

It was a virtuoso display from a player that many consider as the front-runner for this season’s Most Valuable Player award Read more at straitstimes.com.

As of Sunday night, the Rockets are sixth in the league in net rating at +6.1. Their defense is third in the league with a defensive rating of 107.3. But the offense has now crept all the way up to eleventh league-wide with an offensive rating of 113.4. Houston is inching closer to having both a top 10 defense and offense.

Blazers center Robert Williams III is the center of attention in trade rumors, especially with Ime Udoka and the Rockets interested.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, despite having the second-best record, are the very best team in the NBA and should only get better.

During his time suiting up for OKC, Cook wore only jersey No. 14 and put up 5.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

With a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault officially earned an NBA All-Star nod.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be shorthanded once again when they travel to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. Evan Mobley (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) have been ruled out for the game.