We are now nearing a quarter of the way through the 2018-2019 NBA season, so Rachel Nichols, Byron Scott and Paul Pierce looked at the standings and debated the playoff chances for several teams in the competitive Western Conference.

The Los Angeles Clippers lead the West at 13-6, but not by much. Behind the Clippers in second, the next 13 teams all have a legitimate shot of climbing into the top-8 in the West. One team that many assumed would be near the top of the standings once again was the Houston Rockets, but surprisingly, the Rockets are 13th in the West at 9-10, despite huge numbers from James Harden. The Rockets have now lost three straight, but Paul doesn’t think it’s time to panic in Houston just yet with so much basketball left to play.

“No, no don’t panic, you’ve got to give them the benefit of the doubt,” Pierce said. “As long as you have James Harden, Clint Capela playing at a high level, they have to get CP back healthy. You have to give them the benefit of the doubt.”