The Houston Rockets are entering a pivotal stretch in their schedule, facing tougher opponents. With the Emirates NBA Cup in play, their performance in these critical games could lead to even greater challenges. Advancing in the tournament would not only add high-stakes matchups but also test their endurance and depth as the season progresses. Upcoming games @wolves @76ers Okc @sac @gsw @clips Pels @raps @hornet @pels Wolves Heat Mavs Boston @Lakers What is your prediction with these Stretch of games?
Let me be the first to say: The Rockets play no real contenders in their next 15 games Three B2B Tues Nov 26 —@ MIN (8-8) Wed Nov 27 —@ PHI (3-13) Sun Dec 1 —OKC (12-4) Tues Dec 3 —@ SAC (8-9) Thurs Dec 5 —@ GSW (12-4) Sun Dec 8 —@ LAC (11-7) Thurs Dec 19 —NO (4-13) Sun Dec 22 —@ TOR (4-13) Mon Dec 23 —@ CHA (6-10) Thurs Dec 26 —@ NO (4-13) Fri Dec 27 —MIN (8-8) Sun Dec 29 —MIA (7-7) Wed Jan 1 —DAL (9-8) Fri Jan 3 —BOS (14-3) Sun Jan 5 —@ LAL (10-6) 9-6/8-7
It is either OKC or Rockets coming out of the West in the Emirates Arabian Cup. If I am wrong, I am wrong.
I am an optimist. We catch Minnesota and Philly still trying to find their way... so 1-1 in next 2. OKC at home is probably a win without Chet. NOP is a mess - and they were thought to be top6 team at start of year. So 2-0 vs. Pels. Beat the bad teams on the Road (TOR, CHA). Go 1-2 on Road vs. GS, SAC, LAC. G0 2-1 at home vs. DAL, MN, MIA. Lose to Celtics at Home. Lose to Fakers on the Road. 9-6. If Jalen or Jabari find their mojo, maybe 10-5.
If their blowouts in these early games aren't a mirage, then they should go at least 8-7 in this stretch. But it's hard to tell because the Rockets inability to shoot means they have a very low floor in any game. I think the team does have some structural issues that can be exploited as the season goes on, especially if FVV and Jalen are actually this bad at shooting. So I'll be pessimist and predict 7-8. Which brings overall record to 19-14, which is still a 47-win pace and definite win in terms of this season's expectations.
Fred has a 8 year track record prior to this that tells us he is obviously not this bad at shooting. Jalen has a 3 year track record that tells us he is not much better at shooting than this. They are not the same.
It is certainly possible you're right...but our margin of victory doesn't imply luck. I would argue that we've performed at this level while shooting terribly...I don't expect to ever be a great shooting team obviously, but I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that some of these guys are gonna start shooting better than they have been so far.
I don’t really care much about the wins and losses going forward, we are not winning the championship this year so the real importance is tracking the development of young players and decide how to build the team going forward. We can already start to make some judgements on the players. Sengun has taken another leap to near franchise player level. Amen came into the season with the most hype but has not lived up to a huge breakout, but continues to be really good, still has a lot of upside. Jabari went through a scare but has reverted back to the solid role player that he was trending to. Jalen at this point is what he is, have to look to cut our losses. Tari is by far the biggest surprise, consensus had him with the highest floor, but lower ceiling due to age. In reality he has taken a massive leap and has been our second or third best player in limited minutes, this is a major development that people are not talking about enough. Lastly the guy I’m watching the most for the rest of the year is the guy with the biggest uncertainty. Reed is starting to turn it around in some metrics but still overall not good enough. No judgement yet but watching his development will be the most interesting and fun part of the year for me.
Upcoming games @wolves W @76ers L Okc W @sac W @gsw W @clips L Pels W @raps W @hornet W @pels W Wolves L Heat W Mavs L Boston L @Lakers W 10 - 5 ill say
I strongly disagree. It's our defense that is winning games. And defense is sustainable (barring injuries to our key defenders). And thus far, none of our guys have really looked good on offense. If one or more of Sengun, Jalen or Fred begin to hit shots then we'll be unstoppable.
