Coming out of the All-Star Break...

Post #1 » by **Mr. E** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:17 pm

27 games left in the season. Currently holding the 8th seed.

What are your expectations for the team to finish the regular season? What kind of record will we need to keep Portland & LA at bay, or even to pass up Utah, Denver or Golden State?

There is a tough game right out of the box with the Thunder. I am hoping Harden is OK, because i really want him to join Lin & Asik with victories against their former teams. After that we have a few tough games, but we also have a lot of games that should be winnable if the team plays up to it's ability. The Rockets are not in a position to take any team lightly - they cannot have another Sacramento game.

MaxRider · Post #2 » by **MaxRider** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:55 pm

tough schedule ahead
i have a feeling it will be a tight race beween us, portland, and lakers
don't think there will be any blockbuster trade before the deadline this year
but you never know
lakers always can pull something out of nowhere

BaYBaller · Post #3 » by **BaYBaller** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:45 pm

We have the by far the easiest schedule out the teams vying for the last few playoff spots. We also have by far the largest margin of victory. I think we're going to finish above Utah/POR/LAL but won't catch up with Denver or GS.

moofs · Post #4 » by **moofs** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:30 pm

If Karl can out-Karl himself, we're only 4.5 games back on Denver, and only 2.5 back on GS.

He just needs to play Corey Brewer 48 mpg and it's Golden.

Durant Durant · Post #5 » by **Durant Durant** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:42 pm

Real threat are the Lakers. Stern want them in the playoffs for basketball reasons. Beware the refs

moofs · Post #6 » by **moofs** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:48 pm

Major Tom wrote:Real threat are the Lakers. Stern want them in the playoffs for basketball reasons. Beware the refs

Always a legit concern.

Post #7 » by **TMU** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:03 pm

Major Tom wrote:Real threat are the Lakers. Stern want them in the playoffs for basketball reasons. Beware the refs

Yep and make this a cinderella story.

RushHour Rox · Post #8 » by **RushHour Rox** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:13 pm

Major Tom wrote:Real threat are the Lakers. Stern want them in the playoffs for basketball reasons. Beware the refs

And now with the loss of Jerry Buss,(RIP) they have something to rally around. Rockets need to be in that 7 seed and let the Blazers, Jazz, and Lakers duel for the 8th seed.

West. East
1: Thunder. 1: Heat
2: Spurs. 2: Knicks
3: Clippers. 3: Pacers
4: Nuggets. 4: Bulls
5: Grizzlies. 5: Nets
6: Warriors. 6: Celtics
7: Rockets. 7: Hawks
8: Lakers. 8: Bucks
9: Jazz. 9: Raptors
10:Blazers. 10:76ers

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rocketsballin · Post #9 » by **rocketsballin** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:10 pm

overall the schedule is much easier. games are spaced out, no more long ass brutal stretches. starts tough with thunder than a b2b, w/e we get an extra day off.

we might have one of the easiest march schedules in the league. that's a perfect time to go on winning streaks

the rockets can finish with the 7th seed. but cant catch up to denver and gsw, they got too much fire power. bogut coming back and probably increase in minutes later on.

zapatasblood · Post #10 » by **zapatasblood** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:47 pm

Expect Morey to make a move that hurts us short term but makes us better long term. Since the Schedule is much easier I think we will still move up on the standing. Other teams have to deal with what we dealt with for the last two months.

inquisitive · Post #11 » by **inquisitive** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:32 am

we will finish 16-11 at worst!

desi tmac91 · Post #12 » by **desi tmac91** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:52 am

One of the easier schedules in the league, wouldn't be surprised at all if we went on a run similar to the one we had in December when McHale returned. Also can't forget that there is the possibility of a minor move to bolster our bench (using our cap room for Hamilton + draft pick is a popular trade proposal around here) around the trade deadline.

Like someone else said, I think we'll end up with the 7th seed.

moofs · Post #13 » by **moofs** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:21 pm

Hamilton? You mean Richard?

madbucky · Post #14 » by **madbucky** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:50 am

The Rockets had the 2nd toughest schedule in Western Conf so far (opponents .52 record).
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsospg.html
Rockets have the easiest remaining schedule in the Western Conf (opponents .48 record).
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsosrg.html
Rockets have the 6th best point differential in the WC by far (+2.8. Next team is Lakers at +0.7).

So I expect the Rockets to end up as the 6th seed... which unfortunately is not much better than 7th or 8th seed because we'll just get destroyed in the first round by one of the top 3 WC teams Spurs, Thunder, or Clippers.

rocketsballin · Post #15 » by **rocketsballin** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:16 am

madbucky wrote:The Rockets had the 2nd toughest schedule in Western Conf so far (opponents .52 record).
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsospg.html
Rockets have the easiest remaining schedule in the Western Conf (opponents .48 record).
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsosrg.html
Rockets have the 6th best point differential in the WC by far (+2.8. Next team is Lakers at +0.7).

So I expect the Rockets to end up as the 6th seed... which unfortunately is not much better than 7th or 8th seed because we'll just get destroyed in the first round by one of the top 3 WC teams Spurs, Thunder, or Clippers.

god daam thats a good stat! i knew the rockets had a tough schedule but not the toughest in the west. now have the 2nd easiest schedule :rock:

lakers have the 3rd easiest schedule. they could be the ones to knock out utah for a playoff seed.