This is an easier schedule with less BTB games That 7 game losing streak was 7 games over 10 nights I think McHale could have done a better job giving the reserves more playing time rather than gassing out our starters I know it's not like"they are laying bricks in the hot sun "but everyone needs a break McHale!
I just really hope we make the playoffs. The Lakers are creeping up on us. It would be amazing to be in the playoffs again, even if our chances are small. Teams would see what Harden, Lin, and Asik did for this squad, and maybe we'd be considered more by the big FA. I'm hoping the Jazz do deal Millsap away; would weaken their chances of making the playoffs.
This is like pick your poison...OKC, SAS, or LAC??...the spurs are a well oiled machine...and would steam roll the Rockets out of the first round...our best chance at anything is just to keep winning and worry about seeding during the last stretch of games...we have to play better team basketball...and everyone needs to pick up their play
Do you see the Lakers going 20-9 with their 29 remaining games with Gasol still out for several weeks?
The Rockets will finish between 44 and 47 wins IMO. I think we are a near lock for the playoffs, but remember that we were last year and we went on that random 7 game losing streak. We'll see what happens.
Between crushing OKC/San I'd rather crush the clippers. I kinda feel sorry for the old fellas and Durant.
A lot of home games in March/April and 14 of the March/April teams are sub 500 teams (at the moment). It would be nice if the Rockets can steal the OKC game at home and continue the East winning trend with the Nets, Bucks, and Wizards. I think only key injury of coaching meltdown will prevent this team from going to the playoffs.
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsosrg.html According to this we have the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the western conference.
Those mid level/jockeying for playoffs teams are going to be crucial because of our crappy conference record
I'm liking the blazers and jazz being closer to the top of that list. Those 7 games that we lost in January was due a lot to ****ty scheduling so the rest of the season should make up for those losses
I feel we have a much better chance of beating the Clippers than OKC/SAS. I'd least like to face the Spurs in the first round, then OKC, then the Clippers.
For what it's worth, Hollinger still has us winning 47 games and taking 6th seed. Warriors finish with 45 wins and Utah 43. I'm not convinced since the Warriors have a LOT of home games to close out the season.
As long as we don't get OKC as first round, I don't care if we get 6th 7th or 8th. I still think Clippers are beatable, we just got an unlucky 1st qtr catching them at their hot streak draining 3s. Also I wanna destroy clippers and their flop city.
Update with the Rockets loss and Lakers loss. The Rockets are fairly set for the playoffs short of a late season meltdown. Even if we assume the Rockets go a very pedestrian 15-13 despite a much easier schedule than they've had so far, the Lakers need to go 19-10(54 win pace) to beat us, including winning the final game. The Blazers need to go 19-11(52 win pace) to beat us. Lakers loss to the Clippers really hurt their chances. Warriors have a really bad point differential relative to their record. And point differential is a big thing with Hollinger's rankings. The Rockets are the flip side of the Warriors, in which they have a huge point differential but much lesser record in comparison. I'm actually quite curious to see how these two teams finish.
I actually think with the roaster as is the Rockets can finish the season over .500. They made it through the hardest part of their season and finished over .500. Great accomplishment considering most of these guys where bench players last season, new to the team, and Harden arrived just before tip off of the season. Add that to the fact that McHale has limited coaching experience himself. The first half of the season has been like a long training camp-preseason for this troop... .500 plus easy...
