The next 5 games should be victories for the Rockets, and then we have a tough one at Minn. If we can get past that one, and we have a good chance, we could be off on a long winning streak. We should be 17-8 by the time we go to Minn. DD
We SHOULD be able to do just that, DD. If we break our habit of playing down to the competition it'll be a break-through. If we manage it the roof will blow off this place! Hang in there, Clutch.
one hopes that the recents wins over the Spurs, Sixers, and Kings - as well as almost upsetting the Hornets (who were undef. @ home) - SHOULD (hopfully) give the team enough confidence to avoid situations like the Clippers and Suns losses earlier this year
Earlier I projected a 13-2 record over the next 15 games. If that happens then we will remain in the top 3 in the west. That would also mean that I will be flying to Houston from CT for the 1st playoff game.
[size=0.5]Our next 10 games[/size] Dec. 13 @ Memphis Dec. 14 LA Clippers Dec. 16 at Miami Dec. 18 Indiana Dec. 20 Atlanta Dec. 21 @ Minnesota Dec. 23 Utah Dec. 27 New York Dec. 29 New Orleans Dec. 31 Milwaukee I say we'll do 7-3 over the next 10, most probably losing to Indiana, Minnesota plus one more.
We won't lose to both Minnesota and Indiana. You still prescribe to the theory we can't beat playoff teams?!? That being said, we probably will drop 1-2 close games to some of the other teams.
Call me wierd, but the Clippers worry me more than the Pacers. We lost to them before thinking the game was a wash from the beginning. The Clippers have yet to jell and they cooled down a little from their loss a couple days ago. These guys were considered a projected playoff team as we were, and they're still deep. Should they want to play like a team, they're pretty tough.
7-3 is a good guess. It's assuming we win 6 out of 7 at home, and then win only 1 out of 3 away. That's a fair, realistic assumption. Very possible. What would our record be if we go 7-3? Our goal is to finish the season as the 4th seed. If we finish 5th, we lose to the Lakers. If we finish 4th, we beat the Lakers. This is how are season will end up.
Id rather finish 6th and not face the Lakers. You dont go into the playoffs for the first time in 3 years and defeat the 3 time defending champions - especially with a young inexperienced team.
The stretch of games between now and mid Feb are going to be extremely important. The Rockets began the season with a bunch of road games and will end the season with a bunch. The middle part includes more home than road games, and this team really needs to make a run in that part. This team has shown that it is capable of beating any opponent when at home (they handled Sacto, Philly and SA pretty well), thus over the next 10 games, winning 9 is possible if they can continue to play as a team on both ends of the floor. Maintaining the defensive intensity this team has shown thus far will be VERY important. DearRock, if the Rockets are going to finish 3rd in the West, it will be very very important to win a lot of games over the next 2 months. Im hoping going into the final stretch, the Rockets are atleast 20-25 games over .500. In order to finish that high in the conference, I think we will need close to 55 wins. If that does happen btw, Rudy should get SERIOUS consideration for Coach of the Year.
Our next 10 games Dec. 13 @ Memphis - L - Dec. 14 LA Clippers - L - Dec. 16 at Miami - W - Dec. 18 Indiana - W - Dec. 20 Atlanta - W - Dec. 21 @ Minnesota - L - Dec. 23 Utah - W - Dec. 27 New York - W - Dec. 29 New Orleans - W - Dec. 31 Milwaukee - W - my prediction
Nope. But those 2 teams do have better records than the 8 others. My guess would still be 7-3 nonetheless, whether they lose to Indiana and Minnesota or not.
Avoiding Lakers is a good idea. It is better for us to be #6 and play #3 Spurs, than us at #3 and play #6 Lakers. Most likely playoff seeds, 3-6 Rockets Lakers Spurs T-wolves
I don't think we lose to Indiana at home. Yao has something to prove, and the Rockets are at home. I think the hardest 2 games are tonights game against Memphis...will our young team be ready? And the game against the Clippers who match up very well with us....however, Mobley was out for the Moochie choke job. DaDakota
lost to Clippers?I can't believe that. Clippers: Candy man is out. Odom still out............. Rockets Mobly in, more chemistry....... No way for us to lose
You do realize that Im going to be riding you hard in chat while we are beating both of these teams right?
These are the kinds of games Rox historically fall flat. I think the next two can provide insight into mental growth of this group.
For me the NBA regular season is a marathon race. It was not upset me if we go 6-4 or even 5-5 but it will not sit well with if we use games because our players play selfish or dumb basketball. Winning is good (in fact very good) but it is secondary FOR NOW in my humble opinion - how we play (win or loose) is what will matter on the long run (as in developing steadily and avoid taking 2 steps forward, 3 steps backwards).
