02 vs New Orleans W 04 @ Milwaukee W 05 @ Cleveland W 08 vs Lakers L 09 @ New Orleans W 11 @ Boston W 12 @ Philadelphia W 15 vs Clippers L 16 @ Dallas W 18 @ Indiana W 19 @ Minnesota W 21 @ Charlotte W 23 vs Denver L 25 @ New Orleans W 26 vs Brooklyn W 28 @ Utah W 30 @ Denver L 13-4
Not so sure even New Orleans will be as easy to beat with Gordon back, ditto for Milwaukee and Skiles' defense. Going to be a tough month.
What a treacherous month. Schedule makers really didnt like us...4 games in 5 nights 3 times this month Green Wins Red Losses 02 vs New Orleans 04 @ Milwaukee 05 @ Cleveland 08 vs Lakers 09 @ New Orleans 11 @ Boston 12 @ Philadelphia 15 vs Clippers 16 @ Dallas 18 @ Indiana 19 @ Minnesota 21 @ Charlotte 23 vs Denver 25 @ New Orleans 26 vs Brooklyn 28 @ Utah 30 @ Denver
Hmm......I do remember saying 6-4 in a thread for the next 10 games. That leaves 7 games. 5-2 is my prediction so I reckon we can get 11 wins.
Lots of road games and back to backs, but on the flip side we only play one true championship contender (the Clippers, and that's at home). The rest are at best above average (Lakers), at worst terrible (Charlotte). I think we can do better than .500.
I think we'll go 11-6, and that's without being wildly optimistic. If we just pencil in wins against teams with a worse record than ours, we'd go 15-2. So I think losing to 4 teams that are worse than us (reason being due to a tough schedule) seems to be about right.
Just looking at the teams and not b2b situations and that we are on the road... i feel that we can win any of these games. Its more gonna be about consistency on the rockets part and which team comes out to play.
02 vs New Orleans W 04 @ Milwaukee L 05 @ Cleveland W 08 vs Lakers L 09 @ New Orleans W 11 @ Boston L 12 @ Philadelphia W 15 vs Clippers L 16 @ Dallas L 18 @ Indiana W 19 @ Minnesota L 21 @ Charlotte W 23 vs Denver W 25 @ New Orleans W 26 vs Brooklyn L 28 @ Utah W 30 @ Denver L 9-8 ---> 26/22 Still above .500
People are overlooking that Milwaukee game. Their tough defensively. But if we do win that one, I think we'll win 8 in a row. 02 vs New Orleans W 04 @ Milwaukee L 05 @ Cleveland W 08 vs Lakers W 09 @ New Orleans W 11 @ Boston W 12 @ Philadelphia W 15 vs Clippers L 16 @ Dallas L 18 @ Indiana L 19 @ Minnesota L 21 @ Charlotte W 23 vs Denver L 25 @ New Orleans W 26 vs Brooklyn W 28 @ Utah W 30 @ Denver L 10-7. Not bad at all. Thats without being optimistic.
02 vs New Orleans W 04 @ Milwaukee W 05 @ Cleveland L 08 vs Lakers W 09 @ New Orleans W 11 @ Boston L 12 @ Philadelphia L 15 vs Clippers W 16 @ Dallas L 18 @ Indiana W 19 @ Minnesota W 21 @ Charlotte W 23 vs Denver W 25 @ New Orleans W 26 vs Brooklyn W 28 @ Utah L 30 @ Denver L 11-6
Thinking 10-7, though 9-8 or 11-6 wouldn't shock me. Most of the opponents on the list are not scary teams. The x-factors will be the b2b's, 4 in 5's, home cooking, and the ever hard to pin down development curve. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the team continued to get stronger over the next month as the players continue to improve the offensive and defensive chemistry. There's a scary thought. 17-14 and we haven't even peaked yet this season...
Nice thread for looking forward. Now that Rockets have begun to gel, and settle into rotations and style of play that works for them, it seems like January will be a test of their endurance and consistency. Also a chance to make additional refinements. It will be interesting to see how this young team deals with this challenge. Also adding in Anderson, and possibly Beverley, and the continuing improvement of rookies will be interesting to watch. 11-6