Morey says Rockets prepping for series vs. Nuggets, open to play-in tourney

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey says his team already has its sights set on preparing for a likely playoff opponent once the NBA returns from its indefinite hiatus.

"We are prepping for playing Denver in case we go right to playoffs," Morey wrote Sunday during a Facebook Live chat, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen. He continued: "I don't think we will go right to playoffs, though. But even when we play regular-season games, it is pretty likely we will play Denver."

The Rockets held the Western Conference's sixth seed with a 40-24 record when the league suspended play on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Nuggets, meanwhile, were 2 1/2 games up in the standings at 43-22 and occupied the conference's third seed, meaning the two teams are currently slated to face each other in the first round.

Despite Morey's belief that there will be regular-season contests before playoffs begin, the league has yet to officially announced any plans on that front given the uncertain timeline for a potential return.

The executive also said he's open to the implementation of a proposed postseason play-in tournament once basketball does resume, adding that he'd want to see a setup featuring "different tiers - some teams getting byes, some have to play into the playoffs."

Houston is currently tied with the Toronto Raptors for the league's second-longest active postseason streak, having made the playoffs in seven straight seasons.