Rockets remaining schedule is a mixed bag. It's not difficult, but not a cakewalk either. Home-Road split: 15-13 Remaining games against elite teams: 4 (Clippers x2, OKC, Spurs) Remaining games against 2nd level teams: 6 (Pacers, Grizzlies x2, Nuggets, Nets - put them here since it's a road game) Remaining games against teams jockeying for playoffs: 5 (Warriors x2, Jazz, Blazers, Lakers) Remaining games against the rest: 13 (including all WC lottery teams and lesser EC that are either lottery, or would be lottery if they were in the west) Note: Rockets lead head-to-head 2-0 against Warriors, 2-1 against Jazz(last game at home), 1-2 against Blazers, 2-1 against Lakers. The Rockets likely will lose any tie-breaker after head-to-head due to their weak conference record To me, the key is to have a great record against the scrubby teams, something like 10-3. Try to steal a game from Clippers/OKC/Spurs, 1-3 against them. Beat Utah(thankfully at home), split GSW(get tie-breaker), split Blazers/Lakers for a 3-2 record. And if we go 2-4/3-3 against the other upper echelon teams, that puts us as 44~46 win team. And most likely in the playoffs, potentially as high as 6th seed if we get 46-47 wins along with the tie-breakers. Assuming we only win 44 games, low end of my estimate, Portland will need to go 19-11 to beat us(highly unlikely they lose tie-breaker). Lakers 19-10/20-9 pending tie-breaker. Utah 15-14/16-13 depending on tie-breaker.
Somehow screwed up and submitted the wrong version with wrong numbers. But only one game off so overall still the same idea.
For additional info, read this: http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/11/3970440/scheduling-for-the-playoffs-who-has-the-easiest-path Its a more detailed analysis of our (and other 8th-seed contenders) schedule and its difficulty.
Good info OP. Was looking for a thread like this. Thanks. I like our chances. Aside from that Kings game, which was a classic trap game, we usually handle the lower level teams pretty well, so I feel pretty good about us winning a majority of those. Play about .500 basketball against the 2nd level teams and the playoff bubble teams and we should be okay. The key for us is at least winning
I sent basketball-reference.com a suggestion recently that they should include "strength of remaining schedule" Like if two teams were fighting for a playoff spot it would be nice to know which remaining schedule is tougher. You can't assume it will all even out because teams don't play the same schedule.
We'll be competing against the Warriors, Jazz, and the Lakers. I don't think the Blazers have what it takes to keep up. We've definitely put ourselves in a good position here. Love this promising young team we have, it's definitely a new age!
IMO this is unnecessary. In the NBA, teams in the same conference more or less have the same SOS by the end of the season. So far, the Rockets are ranked 3rd in SOS, Golden State 4th, Utah 12th, Portland 13th, Lakers 6th. So in reverse, the Rockets and Warriors have a relatively easy schedule left, while Utah and Portland may tumble down. Lakers I won't even bother predicting since they're a WTF team all around.
Great news! Rockets have the easiest schedule among all playoff teams. Western Conference Strength of Schedule - Remaining Games
We were in this position last year before imploding. Just saying -- while we have been beating expectations -- don't get too optimistic.
Good post. Looks like we should be able to make the play-offs unless we somehow tailspin into another 0-7 run. I would love the Clippers in the play-offs, would not want OKC and wouldn't mind the Spurs. OKC destroyed us in the two games we've met them, and it wasn't an erroneously poor showing by Harden & the kids or by freak 3-point bombing. OKC just look like they've got Harden's euroswag figured out and can shut us down while we have nobody that can stop Durant from scoring at will and Westbrook will be a nightmare as well. The Spurs are a great team but both Harden & Lin have played well against them and we look like we could steal a few games or even remain highly competitive and surprise them.
Agree. A first round series against LAC or SA I can see us getting 2 wins and a lot of national attention. A first round series against OKC means four and out and very little fanfare.
I don't see us having the easiest schedule after AS-break nor do I think we had the hardest prior. We could and should've won more and I think this team has the talent to be 6th seed worthy. I refuse to believe we are more than just Harden & the rest. However, a lot of games it had to come down to Harden taking over. With him hurt in both knees and ankle, we better hope for an answer to our road woes and for mainly Lin, Delfino & Morris to be consistent. However, given the results, I guess we are nothing more than a 8-9th seed that needs help in terms of a shooter and a big. Neither Aldrich nor Smith is going to help us especially come playoff time. A Camby type move is really necessary because we lose too many battles of the boards and we lose way too much when Asik goes to the bench. Also another shooter wouldn't hurt, Delfino alone is not enough. If we do that, I see us making the playoffs. Right now, with too many up and downs that come with a young team and not very good coach, I don't see us making the playoffs. Lakers will easily get that 8th spot, Jazz will not lose and Blazers are still in this. Of course this all depends on what the other teams do at the deadline as well. Jazz could become better but also worse, depends on who they deal out of Millsap / Al and for whom. Portland I see getting some guys to help them now, I just can't see them giving up and for example move LaMarcus. Lakers could also become better if they get some good value for Dwight in case they trade him, unlikely though.
Good summary Meh. Also this isn't taking into account any trades that will be made to upgrade the team next week. Hard to see anything major happening, but a smaller Camby type of move I could see happening. Could be the difference in getting another 2 wins or so.
That is a great article explaining how we have the easiest remaining schedule of the playoff hopefuls, thanks! After all-star break we need the ScriboErgoSum magic number thread back!
Honestly, I want the 7th or 8th seed. I think Spurs are a much easier matchup for the Rockets. What are the chances Rockets tank a couple games if they are ahead to play Spurs? Kinda like what the Grizz did
