Simple Question. Current Record: 18-13 The Rockets have done an amazing job weathering the tough opening schedule. At home against New York on January 9 is Hump Day. That's the moment our schedule finally starts to ease up. If we can just win 2 of our next 5 games we'll be going into the last 46 games with a 20-16 record. Some numbers relating to the last 46 matchups: Median Record of teams Left to play: 14-16 Home/Away: 27/19 Matchups with teams Below .500: 27 Matchups with teams that currently have a lower winning % than us: 33 Also when you consider we have the highest rated strength of schedule thus far, it even skews the above number even more in our favor. Given the way this team has performed thus far along with the favorable second half schedule, I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility that we can go 30-16 over that final stretch, especially if we can steal a few more games from the league powerhouses. 45 wins for this team would already be an incredible feat, but 50 would just be insane! I'm not sure if the team can keep up this level of play since so much of the success is attributed to energy. but I thought setting a goal of 50 wins would be a good target to strive for.
Talk about annoying signatures.... I see us winning about 45 games as well. I think we will have a few letdowns at home that will be disappointing. I do see us making the playoffs, which I was not so sure of at the beginning of this season. That's always a plus for the players and fans.
I'm surprised anyone even thinks it unlikely at this point. The Rockets have played the toughest schedule in the league and are currently on pace to win 48 games. After January 9th, the Rockets will have the easiest schedule in the league. How could they possibly not improve their pace and win 50+ games? The only way I can see them falling short of 50 wins is if there is a substantial injury to a key player or two.
I think 50 is a reasonable goal for this team. I also would be happy with 47 wins. But I would simply be estatic with 50+ wins.
Good team = .500 or better Bad team = under .500 At home against good teams: 4-4 Remaining home games against good teams: 13 Predicted victories: 7.5 At home against bad teams: 4-0 Remaining home games against bad teams: 16 Predcited victories: 16 On road against good teams: 4-7 Remaining road games against good teams: 10 Predicted victories: 3.6 On road against bad teams: 6-2 Remaining road games against bad teams: 12 Predicted victories: 9 Total predicted victories of remaining games: 36.1 Total predicted victories of the season: 54 Note: I think we probably will lose a game or two against bad teams at home. It would still give us around 52 wins.
I stopped writing off these Rockets somewhere around Game 3 of the second round last year. If they want to win 50 games, they'll get it done somehow.
I think the T-mac situation will throw us off. We will lose some games we should win because the "team is distracted" or if we make a big move we will drop some because of "still forming chemistry"
