Rockets Clinch Homecourt Advantage In Playoffs Vs. Blazers

The Houston Rockets clinched homecourt advantage in their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers by defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 104-98, in Houston on Monday night.

Houston (54-27) will occupy the West's No. 4 seed while Portland (53-28) will occupy the No. 5 seed. The Rockets hold the tiebreaker between the two teams by winning the season series 3-1, so the season finales for both teams will not affect their respective positions in the standings.

Portland will complete its 2013-14 season on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

A number of Blazers players discussed X-factors and the keys to a series against the Rockets on Sunday night.

The 2014 playoffs are set to begin this weekend.

You can check out Blazersedge's Rockets/Spurs Gameday Thread right here.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter