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Rockets pushing for top-four finish in West

Apr 9, 2008 - 3:27 PM Seattle (18-60) at Houston (52-25) 8:30 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Even with a postseason berth in hand, the Houston Rockets still have plenty to play for.

The Rockets aim to improve their postseason position Wednesday when they host the Seattle SuperSonics.

Houston enters Wednesday's contest fifth in the competitive Western Conference, just one game behind the second-place San Antonio Spurs (53-24).

The Rockets kept pace with the top four teams in the West on Sunday, completing a three-game winning streak with a 105-79 victory against the dismal Los Angeles Clippers.

Rookie Aaron Brooks scored 18 points to lead six players in double figures for the Rockets, who were without injured point guard Rafer Alston (hamstring).

Despite owning the NBA's second-worst record, the Sonics hindered the Denver Nuggets' playoff chances with Sunday's 151-147 double-overtime victory.

Rookie Kevin Durant finished with 37 points and forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer before duplicating the feat to send the game to a second overtime.

Despite the big win against the Nuggets, Seattle failed to build on that momentum Tuesday as they suffered a 99-83 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.