Note to Around the Horn: The Rockets Ain't Dead Yet

Despite losing Yao Ming for the season, and writers and critics writing them off as a potential postseason bust, the Houston Rockets are out to prove that they are still alive and kicking.

Last night, the Rockets finished February off perfectly with their 14th straight win as they rolled to a 116-95 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, in Houston. The Rockets are one win away from matching the franchise record for consecutive wins in a season. Houston finished 13-0 in February, and despite not having the low post scoring of Ming, the team still find ways to keep scoring.

Tracy McGrady set the tone for the evening with 25 points and six assists, while rookie power forward Carl Landry had 15 points and even posterized Kwame Brown. In the process, the Rockets shot almost 51 percent from the field, proving that not only can they win without Yao, but they can also score when it counts without him as well. 

Even though no one would take this win seriously, the Rockets are not making any apologies about this win or any other win they've gotten on their perfect run. And who can blame them? They won their 14th straight game, they are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and they are getting it done any way they can—all without Yao Ming.

The Rockets are proving that they can take care of business, and with the Nuggets coming to town tomorrow night, Houston's biggest tests begin. At press time, the Rockets were 38-20 and holding tight to the seventh spot and if they intend on holding on that, they have to beat a surging Nuggets team who also won on Friday night.

Though San Antonio and Dallas are getting all the hype in Texas, Houston is looking to break that postseason virus that has plagued them the last two seasons. Their first goal is obviously getting to the playoffs. As long as they don't have to see that ugly mug of Jerry Sloan's, the Rockets may have a chance.

At this moment, the Rockets are the hottest team in the NBA right now, followed by the Spurs. If the Rockets can continue their winning ways, they may not have to settle for a seventh seed. They could get a grasp on a higher seed if they stick to the gameplan. Why stick to the gameplan? Because it's working pretty damn good right now.

So to Jay Mariotti, Bill Plaschke, and JA Adande, the ones who said that the Rockets will falter because of Yao Ming's injury, the Rockets have something to ask you guys:

HOW DO YOU LIKE 'DEM APPLES?!