The Rockets find themselves on the cusp of championship contention. Their disruptive, dominant defense is camera-ready for basketball's biggest stage. Their competitive fire and the fight instilled under head coach Ime Udoka can keep sturdy legs beneath them through the final rounds of a heavyweight brawl.

A miserable loss to the Pacers ended Milwaukee’s season in the first round of the playoffs again and intensified speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo got into two verbal altercations after Game 5 vs. the Pacers, including with Tyrese Haliburton's dad.