This is how the standings are for right now, the Rockets are 5th, right behind the Utah Jazz, but we have a higher percentage as you can see which gives us the 4th best record in the NBA, we are 3 games behind San Antonio from attaining that 3rd spot, that would land us a series battle with whoever is at 6th seed, hopefully a team that is beatable, I would rather have a better record and I would rather play a worser team than the Jazz or Nuggets, whoever gets the seed when the 82 games are decided. The Spurs have been the biggest rival for years now, Spurs fans in Houston, who come from San Antonio or are just bandwagoners, would stop mocking our team because we were the worst Texas team, but beating San Antonio for the 3rd spot, would give us more respect, people will start to recognize us as a powerhouse, which we can be when everyone is healthy and we achieve a decent backup PG.
I think it's definitely possible the Rockets could beat the Spurs out for the 3rd seed in the west. I mean, just wait until Yao comes back. And as long as we aren't facing the suns and the mavs in the first round... I'm not too worried.
Considering we are only 3 games behind them and have 1 game against them at the TC, I think we have a chance. We also have more home games remaining than they do.
We could, and end up in a match with the Lakers or Jazz with homecourt. Also think of Suns or Mavs getting Nuggets in a 2-7 matchup. AI and Melo could win a series against a team like that by themselves in a 7 game series and we match-up better with Nuggets than either team.
I'm definitely hoping someone takes out the Suns and Mavs for us (or they take out each other). But if we make it far into the playoffs we'll likely have to face one of them. Here's to hoping it's the Mavs, to get revenge on them from 04 and because we match up better with them than we do with the Suns.
It's tough, but doable. We have to play really well and hope the Spurs drop a few they shouldn't. On a related note, does it matter? We're either playing San Antonio or Utah in the playoffs, barring a huge surge or lapse by some team. The only difference is whether or not we get home court, but this team can win on the road.
If Dallas is the 1st seed and Suns the 2nd, I would rather keep our current 5th seed. Assuming we could get past the 1st round against the Jazz, the next opponent you would want to face is definitely NOT Phoenix. Let Spurs handle them and it would be awesome if we could give Mavs a revenge.
I expect the Spurs to go on a winning tear later in the season. We could pass them temporarily but it will be tough to stay in front. I'm more concerned about passing the Jazz and staying in front of the Lakers. I'm satisfied with a #5 seed (with the 4th best record) and a 1st round matchup with the Jazz where we have the home court advantage. In the 2nd round, we would face whoever between the Mavs and Suns had the best record. I think this is where we are headed unless the injury bug bites.
i too would like to face the mavs. they scare me, as does phoenix, but it would make winning it all this year so much sweeter if it comes on the heels of a revenge win against our rivals. somehow the thought of winning a championship by taking out the 'easy' teams doesn't really appeal to me. id rather see the rockets take on the best of the best, so that if they do come out triumphant, it actually means something.
Honestly, it's in the Spurs' hands. If they have their typical dominant rodeo road trip, it's gonna be tough to get the 3rd seed. If they go .500 or worse on this trip, the Rockets have a pretty good shot at it. Especially if they win the remaining home game against the Spurs and clinch the season series.
i'm not sure if we can catch them, but its very possible. if they decide to "turn it on" after all-star break then i'm afraid we won't be close.
You know the Spurs are good when they are being talked about as if they are in a crisis, and they are still up there.
Or we could be back to number 7 again. I don't care. When Yao comes back in the playoff, we can beat any team.
We still have a season to play. Anything can happen. It's safe to say we are going to make the playoffs this year, and by looking at the standings, I like where we are right now. Let's just keep playing the way we are and see what happens. That's all there is to it.
OF all the playoff bound teams- in the western conference, we have the easier schedule in April- that is when the jockeying starts for the so called border line teams to cause upsets. With Our team back together healthy- if we hold home court advantage- we will be a matchup nightmare for our 2 stars.
Im with you on this. anything that allows us to avoid Phoenix until the conference championship is good to me.
Why do we want to be the 3rd Seed? 3rd seed means that we have to play Lakers, Phoenix, and Dallas. I'd rather be the 5th seed and play Utah, Dallas, and then San Antonio or Phoenix. Anyways, I doubt if we'll catch the Spurs, they are notorious for being dominant the second half of the season.
I think it'll be tough, but it's possible. The Spurs are going on their million game road trip, and our schedule is somewhat relaxed at the moment. I'm homing we can pass them up and possibly land an easier team during the first round, though they're all going to put up a fight. As long as we can avoid the Mavs and Suns, I'm ok.
