Now that the schedule is out, let's look at the back-to-backs: November: 1/2 @Denver, Toronto. (Three days off 6,7,8) 21/22 @Dallas, Washington 26/27 @Portland, @GSW December: 6/7 @NO, Phi. 13/14 @Mem, LAC. 20/21 Atl, @Min (Three days off 24,25,26) January: (Three days off 1,2,3) 7/8 Min, @Orl 10/11 @Atl, Den (four games in five nights) 20/21 @SA, @Dal 26/27 @Chi, @Mem February: 4/5 @Min, @Cle (All Star Break, 6-10) 11/12 Utah, @Utah 18/19 @LAL, @Pho 21/22 Dal, Mem 24/25 @Bos, @NYK (six games in eight nights!) March: 4/5 @Det, @Tor (Three days off 9,10,11) 18/19 @Sea, @Por 23/24 @Sac, @LaC 26/27 LAL, @SA (four games in five nights) April: 8/9 Por, @Uta 15/16 Mem, @Den 21 back-to-backs. two "four in five night" stretches one "six in eight night" stretch This club needs to get off to a fast start. The seven weeks after the All Star Break (25 games in 49 nights) are going to be terribly physically demanding.
I am glad you pointed this out! When I first saw the schedule one of the first things I did was (regardless of the team/level of competition) is look for Back-to-Back games. Early on it seems we get a lot of "days off" but as you clearly noted above as the season progresses they have A LOT of back-to-back games and a lot of games in short stretches. If they don't get off to a fast start they could be in BIG trouble! Hopefully if we are injury free our "depth" / bench will help us get through those tough stretches so we can play players less minutes so they can be more fresh. Chris
We need the practice time early in the season, so maybe that will offset the tough second half to a degree. (man, that second half DOES look brutal!)
Ok, must win games: Nov. 2 vs. Toronto Dec. 21 vs. Minnesota Feb. 5 vs. Cavaliers Mar. 5 vs. Toronto Why? All of those games are followed by at least 3 days off, and I don't know if I can stand the "Rockets Suck! Fire Rudy!" threads that will inevitably consume the bandwidth during the time between games.
Good call on the "practice" time. This will be ESPECIALLY important for Yao Ming since he will come into camp right in time for the Pre-Season schedule. Because of this his "practice" time will be hampered. As you mentioned above perhaps with the extra days off early on Ming can take advantage of that to spend time with the team. Chris
Heh. That's not right though. I only posted the B2B above, not the entire schedule. The games in question are: Nov. 5 vs. Seattle (OFF 6,7,8) Dec. 23 vs. Utah (OFF 24,25,26) Dec. 31 vs. Mil. (OFF Jan 1,2,3) Feb. 5. vs. Cle. (ASB 6,7,8,9,10) Mar. 8. vs. N.J. (OFF 9,10,11)
