The Houston Rockets are the newest team officially in the playoffs this year. With their win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night, they clinched a postseason spot in the Western Conference.

It was only a matter of time. The Houston Rockets are 47-27 on the season, and have looked like one of the best teams in basketball for most of the season.

However, it's easy to forget that they 1-5. Things weren't always going so smoothly for Houston. They didn't panic though, and with the leadership of James Harden and Chris Paul – are back in the playoffs.

This is the seventh straight season that the Rockets will be in the playoffs. Last year, they managed to get to the Western Conference Finals, but lost the seven game series 4-3 to the Golden State Warriors.

Now the Rockets could have a chance at redemption.

Currently, their 47-27 record puts them in third place in the Western Conference. However, a lot can change in a short period of time.

They're only one game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers in fourth place. Meanwhile, they're just two games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth place (no more home court advantage). Even crazier, the Rockets are just three games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for eighth place.

Houston could also still move up. The Denver Nuggets and Warriors are currently tied for first place in the West. They're both three games ahead of the Rockets for that position.

Now that a playoff spot is locked up though, things will get fun for the Rockets. James Harden is the likely MVP and now we definitely get to see him in the postseason again.

How far can the Houston Rockets go this year? Only time will tell. The only thing we do know, is we'll be seeing them after April 10.