2012 NBA standings: Rockets right on the edge of playoff race

If the Houston Rockets want to be in the playoffs, they might want to start winning some games against Western Conference opponents.

After the Rockets' 120-98 loss at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, the team fell to a brutal 1-7 against conference opponents on the season. At 7-8 overall, the Rockets are currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 8th and final playoff spot. Few expect a sub-.500 record to be enough to make the tournament (or for the Lakers to be around that mark all season), but there's obviously still plenty of time for the Rockets to right the ship, especially considering they're probably still trying to gel with a starting backcourt that's barely been together a month.

In the always-tough Southwest Division, the Rockets are currently third behind the West's top two teams, the San Antonio Spurs (13-3) and the Memphis Grizzlies (11-2).

Here's a look at the up-to-date Western Conference and Southwest Division standings: