This is with CP missing a big stretch of games. Still 57 games to go, though, willthey stay in this position (or better?) for the rest of the season?
I think it's possible, but probably a little unlikely. A 69-win team would lose only 13 games, which would give the Rockets only nine more losses the rest of the season. They still have to face the Warriors twice, the Celtics twice, Cleveland once and the Spurs four times, in addition to seven combined games against Minnesota and OKC. Let's assume they go 11-5 in those 16 games. Can they lose only four games in the remaining 41 games on the schedule?
id say theyll hit around 60. veteran team that knows the long run is the ultimate picture. i doubt they exert themselves to the point where theyre over chasing a regular season accolade. And thats assuming everything goes accordingly til the end of the season. it wont. their will be some bumps in the road
fwiw: Morey's Pythagorean Win % formula has us at 66 wins. (We were at 67 wins before the last two close games.)
Not happening. Even if they stay healthy. I do think 63-64 wins is realistic. Sadly that might not be enough to finish ahead of the Warriors.
i think they do this year. i dont see the warriors that invested on obtaining the best record in the league compared to prior years where they pushed for it. they know themselves they're the team to beat regardless
In this free-wheeling offense with 2 all-world PGs running the show? 69+ is possible. But with a long season, comes rest. And I'd rather have healthy players than a great record. Buuut, if we're battling for the #1 overall seed in the league, then screw rest, lol.
I'd be happy with just 60. gotta rest them up for playoffs they should bubble wrap Gordon and Paul the week before the playoffs start. Harden just needs to rest a bit, he can get rusty from too many games off
My guess is 61-62 games. The Rockets are hard to peg because an injury to either Paul or Harden (especially) can really change their outlook. A team like the Warriors are better equipped to lose a star player and still win at a high clip. Right now the Rockets are 21-4. To win 61 games they need to go 40-17 to finish the season. Once back to backs, inevitable injuries, defense comes down to earth and rest is figured into the equation; I think that is a very reasonable number of games to win. With health, they could maybe push for 64-65 wins; but they are just as likely to win 55-56 games as both are outliers. I expect GS to win 65 games, the Spurs will likely top 60 wins as well.
