Ok, 10 games left this month. If we continue to play the defense we have been playing I think (hope) we could go 7 - 3. This would bring our record to 12 - 4 which would hold us at the top of the league. What are y'alls thoughts?
at Dallas - L Dallas is going to be the first real challenge to the Rockets' defense. It will be close, but I think Dallas has the edge here. Phoenix - W Phoenix has been a poor shooting team and they play no defense. Even in a back-to-back, the Rockets should have the edge here, especially, if they are mad coming off a loss. at Toronto - W Toronto is one of the worst teams in the league and the Rockets won't lose to a team this bad this year unless they have SERIOUS injuries. at Philadelphia - L This will be close and could go either way. Philly hasn't been playing great but the Rockets will be in the second game of a back-to-back after travelling AND this will be the fourth game in 5 nights. Golden State - W Rockets beat up on the cream puffs. at Portland - W I think this will become their biggest road win. The Blazers have weapons but the Rockets are MUCH tougher this year inside. This game could also be around the time we hear word on Taylor and possibly see the returns of Piatkowski and A. Griffin giving the team a boost. at LA Clippers - W A little revenge against a team that gave us problems last season. at Utah - W Oh, how sweet it is. at Sacramento - L Nearing the end of a VERY tough bunch of road games, I think the Rockets drop this one. Sacramento is getting better even without Webber. at Seattle - L The end of the road trip produces the first 2-game losing streak of the season. To make matters worse, this is a back-to-back game with travel. The team will be exhausted. Finish November 6-4 Overall (end of November) 11-5 IMO, this is realistic and it still makes them a very tough team. I don't think many thought they would escape November with much better than a .500 record. Considering the schedule, the injuries, the suspensions and the complete change in team concept, this would be remarkable.
I think the rockets will win games against teams that play no defense (aka the Kings, Sonics), but drop games against teams that defend well, like the clippers. Look at how Miami's defense shut us down...and I think we can shut down team after team this year, our defense is rock solid....hope i didn't jinx it
I fully agree. Kings and Sonics are actually two of the easier games. Portland, Utah, and Clippers will give Rockets more trouble. That's lead to my prediction of Rockets beat both Mavs and Suns, who have no real defense.
We have 8 of the next 10 games on the road. We've had a very easy schedule so far, but this is going to be a big early season test. The last 4 games of the 10 games are on the road. In the next 10 games we play some real good teams with no easy games. 11/13 at Dallas 11/14 vs Phoenix 11/16 at Toronto 11/17 at Philly 11/19 vs Golden State 11/21 at Portland 11/24 at Clippers 11/26 at Utah 11/28 at Sacramento 11/29 at Seattle
Logic etc is fine, except -- GS a creampuff? I don't think so. NVE is a load (ask any opponent or any of his coaches), and Musselman gets the team ready. They are playoff worthy, were they in the East.
I almost agree with Jeff except that I think that we will beat Philly. Philly has no solution for Yao and I think that defensively other than Iverson we will shut them down. I don't like predicting that because that would make a seven game winning streak and although I like the thought I just don't know if I can convince myself that it will happen.
i still have vivid memories of cat mobley putting the clamps on iverson last year. dude had iverson in handcuffs. shut down. click click!
If things continue to move on the upsider then they wont be any worst than 13-3 problems could mean 11-5.
Realistically? 3-7 Possibly? 5-5 Over-achieving? 7-3 Bash me all you want. I love the ROX, but I simply won't believe it until I see it on a consistent basis. I was wrong about the Miami game and hopefully I'm wrong about this prediction as well. VL
