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Rockets need to take advantage of favorable schedule in Jan & Feb.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by London'sBurning, Jan 9, 2004.

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  1. London'sBurning

    London'sBurning Member

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    Was just looking at the Rockets schedule for the remainder of the season and the Rockets schedule is pretty favorable considering we're getting a lot of games against Eastern Conference team those two months. However, January is even questionable as to whether it's favorable to the team considering the long road trip coming up after the Boston game. While even the worst NBA teams are strong at home, these two months are the best times for the Rockets to pull away from the competing playoff teams.

    2003-2004 COMPLETE SCHEDULE & RESULTS
    JANUARY OPPONENT TICKETS TV NAT TV TIME (ET)
    Sun 11 Boston 8:30 PM
    Tue 13 at Washington 7:00 PM
    Wed 14 at Boston 7:00 PM
    Sat 17 Minnesota ABC ABC 3:30 PM
    Mon 19 at Memphis TNT 7:30 PM
    Wed 21 New York MSG ESPN2 9:00 PM
    Fri 23 at Indiana ESPN 8:00 PM
    Sun 25 at Orlando NBA TV 6:00 PM
    Mon 26 at Miami 7:30 PM
    Wed 28 Sacramento ESPN 7:30 PM
    Sat 31 New Jersey 3:30 PM

    February is THE MONTH the Rockets schedule is at it's best. 8 home games, and 7 games that are either against below .500 teams or Leastern Conference opponents.


    FEBRUARY OPPONENT TV NAT TV TIME (ET)

    Mon 2 at Phoenix 9:00 PM
    Wed 4 Milwaukee 8:30 PM
    Fri 6 Chicago 8:30 PM
    Sat 7 at Atlanta 7:00 PM
    Mon 9 San Antonio TNT TNT 9:30 PM
    Wed 11 LA Lakers ESPN 9:00 PM
    Tue 17 Washington 8:30 PM
    Sat 21 at Dallas NBA TV 8:30 PM
    Sun 22 Atlanta 8:30 PM
    Tue 24 at San Antonio FOX SW 8:30 PM
    Wed 25 Cleveland ESPN 9:00 PM
    Fri 27 Portland 8:30 PM
    Sun 29 Seattle NBA TV 4:00 PM

    Now here's where the schedule picks up again. The Rockets only face 3 Eastern Conference teams. One being New Orleans who's a pretty decent team. Granted we did beat them and are at home, it won't be an easy win. The next is a home game against Toronto, a team that defeated the Rockets in overtime earlier in the season. A game the Rockets gave away and should of won. The last Eastern Conference team is Milwaukee on the road. Last year they ripped the Rockets a new one when the Rockets were on the road. Again another game that by no means is a given. The rest of the games are against the always competitive Western Conference teams.

    MARCH OPPONENT TV NAT TV TIME (ET)

    Wed 3 LA Lakers ESPN 9:00 PM
    Fri 5 at Minnesota 8:00 PM
    Sun 7 Dallas ABC ABC 1:00 PM
    Tue 9 LA Clippers 8:30 PM
    Thu 11 New Orleans TNT TNT 7:30 PM
    Sat 13 Memphis 8:30 PM
    Mon 15 Phoenix TNT TNT 7:30 PM
    Fri 19 at Golden State ESPN 10:30 PM
    Sun 21 at Sacramento ESPN 7:30 PM
    Mon 22 at Portland 10:00 PM
    Wed 24 Toronto 8:30 PM
    Fri 26 at Memphis 8:00 PM
    Sun 28 at Milwaukee NBA TV 4:00 PM
    Mon 29 Minnesota 8:30 PM


    The month of April is my gravest concern as to whether we're going to the playoffs or not. It's almost a suicidal schedule that the NBA created to destine us to fall to a 9 seed again 1 game away from getting in the playoffs. It starts off with the Lakers on the road, then Denver on a back to back AGAIN immediately afterwards. Then Sacramento at home, only to go back on the road again for two more games where we face GS and the Clippers, the Rockets two most optimistic opportunities for a win. Or is it? They're back to back games too. They might have to settle for splitting those two games instead of seizing control of both wins. The final four games consist of Denver at home, then Utah and Seattle, two teams that always give us hell on the road, then Dallas to close out the season.


    APRIL OPPONENT TV NAT TV TIME (ET)

    Thu 1 at LA Lakers TNT 10:30 PM
    Fri 2 at Denver 9:00 PM
    Sun 4 Sacramento ABC ABC 1:00 PM
    Tue 6 at Golden State 10:30 PM
    Wed 7 at LA Clippers 10:30 PM
    Fri 9 Denver 8:30 PM
    Sat 10 at Utah NBA TV 9:00 PM
    Mon 12 at Seattle 10:00 PM
    Wed 14 Dallas ESPN 9:30 PM



    Now is the time for the Rockets to separate themselves from the competition. Alot may change from now to the month of March and April. Our offense may click and become bearable to watch, aside from the occasional lights out game (i.e. Knick game last night.) The optimistic side of me tells me these last two months are great preparation for the playoffs if we do make it, but it just doesn't look like a very favorable schedule at all.
     
    #1 London'sBurning, Jan 9, 2004
  2. Sane

    Sane Member

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    We're a lock for the playoffs. We need to win 1 or 2 games more than .500 for the rest of the season to make the playoffs.

    I just hope we make it as 6th seed and face the Spurs - I really doubt we'll take even one game against the Lakers or Kings. However, we MAY take 1 from the Spurs, which would be enough for these guys IMO.
     
    #2 Sane, Jan 9, 2004
  3. DallasThomas

    DallasThomas Member

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    But of course. Take a look at their December schedule with those same scrutinous eyes though. It was just as un-favorable as is March. For them to have escaped it with an 8-7 record was much more than respectable. They've fared well thus far in respect to their schedule, and have yet to show incompetence when it came to meeting matchup expectations. So again; will they take advantage of this favorable stretch? But of course.

    27-19 Through January.
    35-24 Through February.
    13-10 For March/April.
    48-34 Overall.
    5th or 6th Seed material.
     
    #3 DallasThomas, Jan 9, 2004
  4. acrophobia98

    acrophobia98 Member

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    Good call. I do think that is achievable unless something drastic (such as major injury or a fight among the coach/players) really happens. :)
     
    #4 acrophobia98, Jan 9, 2004
  5. ckahlich001

    ckahlich001 Member

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    everyone staying healthy an uninjured is the key.
     
    #5 ckahlich001, Jan 9, 2004
  6. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

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    I want us to break the 50 mark...that would be unbelieveable!
     
    #6 KaiSeR SoZe, Jan 9, 2004
  7. ckahlich001

    ckahlich001 Member

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    ok heres how i score it.


    Jan ends at 28-18 (.609)

    Feb ends at 37 - 22 (.627)

    Mar ends at 46 - 27 (.630)

    Apr ends at 52 - 30 (.634)


    5th...and we give em hell in the playoffs but are elimated in the first round. then we do some much needed trading and restructuring in the off season.
     
    #7 ckahlich001, Jan 9, 2004
  8. notcool

    notcool Member

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    Most important part is to keep healthy. Look at Phoneix and you will know the brutal side of the West.

    At the moment, Rockets have clicked their defense. So, all they need to do is to improve their offensive flow
     
    #8 notcool, Jan 9, 2004
  9. Rule0001

    Rule0001 Contributing Member

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    48 or more wins would be a great season

    hopefully we'll bounce around a bit and end up 6 or 7th seed.
     
    #9 Rule0001, Jan 9, 2004
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