RealGM

They beat those teams by an average of 13.3ppg. It included three of the four teams that advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs and the Buck, who lost to the 76ers in the ECF in 7 games.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2001/splits/

I remember that impressive feat.
The Rockets actually belonged to the Central Division from 1972-1980.
Wonder what the teams history might have been had they stayed in the Eastern Conference.