Tuesday, February 19, 2013

27 Games to Get There

This season for the Houston Rockets has been one where I have seen many ups and not as many downs compared to the last three years of stagnation. The team from the "Clutch City" has done some things for me this year that I have not witnessed in the last three years. They have been in the playoff race for most of the season, have a solid "star" on the cusp of super stardom, and run an offense that....well....runs. There is still so much uncertainty that surrounds this team but if they can keep running, they can keep winning and clinch that playoff berth for the first time since 2009.

Schedule Breakdown

For the last 27 games, the Rockets do not have easy schedule but they also do not have a terribly hard one either. They do start the break back against the team they cannot seem to keep up with in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the game will be at home, James Harden cannot out duel the combo of Durant and Westbrook. I know that because the only two times they have played them, there is no slowing them down. Most likely a loss unless the supporting cast can really back up Harden and they can play some defense but like I said, most likely a loss. The next two games are on the road in a back-to-back against better Brooklyn and Washington teams that they took down the last times they played. These games should be wins but they have to play smart which is a little tougher being the youngest team in the NBA. The Rockets close out February in Houston against Milwaukee which should be another win and have the Rockets finishing the month on 3 game win streak. They finish the month of February at 32-27.

March brings a tougher test to for the Rockets although they start it out with a road game in Orlando against a Magic team that cannot even score over 70 points some nights, tally another W for Houston. They then move on to the Sunday night at Home against the arch-rival Mavericks. Houston wants this game at home more than anything and a big night from Harden seals the deal as the Rockets down the Mavs and stretch their winning streak to 5 games.

After a few days off,  it's a quick drive up I-45 to Dallas to square back up with Dirk and Co. and in the rematch I feel that Dirk will be at his best and still gunning to make their playoff run and they strike down the Rockets in Dallas to end Houston's 5 game win streak. Houston then picks up the gloves and travels to Golden State for what is sure to be another high scoring affair. However, the Warriors can still not get the best of the Rockets and give up another big night to Harden and let the Rockets get one in their house. They finish off their three game road trip in Phoenix where former Rockets, Goran Dragic and Luis Scola attempt to take down their former team. Their attempt is stuffed like a signature Hakeem Olajuwon block and the Rockets smash the Suns in their house to finish the road trip strong.

The Rockets get to come home to their longest home stand of the season for 7 games and start it off against the last team they played. The Suns roll in to Houston for a chance at revenge and sorry to say for Suns fans but the Rockets refuel and dump the Suns for the second straight game and start the home stand off right. Minnesota comes to town next and for some reason the Rockets do not match up well with the Wolves. Despite this fact, Houston dumps them like a slutty girlfriend after prom being at home because the Wolves still playing without Kevin Love. Golden state then comes to town once again where the last time Houston shelled them for 140 points and NBA tying 23 three-balls. I do not expect this to happen again but with Houston riding the win streak, they toss the Warriors for the 4th and final time this season. Then Jazz stroll in next and after they "got served" last time in Utah by 45 points for their worst home defeat in franchise history, they are looking to put out the Rockets fire. Houston steals this one with strong play form the starters and a late rally to seal their longest winning streak of the season. Cleveland is the next suitor to try and end the Rockets streak, and although the last game Houston escaped a Kyrie Irving show this game is more physical and Houston adds another notch to the belt which will sit at 7.

As much as I would love to see this Magical march run keep on rolling, San Antonio comes to town. The Rockets seem to have too much trouble with San Antonio's stifling defense, along with Jeremy Lin's inability to guard Tony Parker and they fall at home for the first time on the home stand. The home stand finishes with Indiana coming to town and with their powerful lineup and Houston trying to avenge a loss to the Pacers in their last match up. The Pacers prove to be a more complete team with strong play from Paul George and down the Rockets at home to drop Houston for their second straight loss. An away game to Memphis is not where Houston wants to be but after their two straight losses, James Harden takes over this game. Rockets win to get some of the mojo back and Red Nation boards the plane to go catch the second of their back-to-back in H-Town. Its unfortunate that the the second game in as many days is against the Chris Paul and Lob-City. The Clips pull this one off in the Toyota Center with Double-doubles from CP3 and Blake Griffin. Houston goes in to the final month of the season losing 3 of 4 but with a strong record of 42-31 and is on the cusp of a playoff berth.

April has always been a fascinating month in the NBA where playoff races comedown to the final games even, and other teams begin tanking to secure a better draft position. This team however will only be a few wins away from securing a playoff berth and can accomplish at the very beginning of the month.

The new month kicks off at home with a match up against the Orlando Magic, Houston rolls them out of the gym in blowout fashion and gets one win closer to the post season. It is then time to hop on a plane for a short three game trip which will kick off in Sacramento. With the Kings in shambles at this point of the season, Harden and friends avenge an earlier loss from February and take down the Kings in their house. A quick ride up to Portland to face the Blazers will be a fun match between these familiar foes. After a long battle between the offenses, Houston's D prevails as the escape Portland with one more W. The final game of the road trip brings them to Denver where Houston has had trouble matching up with the Nuggets depth. Rockets lose a close one where fouls and free throws make the difference.

With 5 games left in the season and Houston sitting at 45-32, the end of season stretch will prove vital for carrying themselves in to the post season. They open up the final home stretch of the season for three games with Phoenix coming in to TC. Rockets roll and take out the Suns with a playoffs on their mind. Memphis comes to town and with the playoffs as close as they can be, the Rockets down the Grizzlies with a James Harden high scoring night and secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2009. Sacramento rolls in to town a couple of days after the playoff clinch and down the Rockets on a strong game from Demarcus Cousins.

Houston finishes the season on the road for the first game in Phoenix where the Rockets take down the Suns one for the final time this season and stretch the win total to 48. The last game of the season will be against the always hated Los Angeles Lakers. They will have made their run and be right on the verge of the playoffs, however the Rockets shut the door on the Lakers in the Staples Center. James Harden nails an ice cold three late to set the game and the Lakers miss the playoffs and the Rockets finish at 49-33 and set up in good position to make a playoff run.


Wrap-Up

I may just be a simple fan that loves my team too much, but when I have been disappointed for so long by these stagnant teams I must be a total optimist in this situation. Yes there are things going against the Rockets, but there are many things going for them as well. They are the youngest team in the NBA which doesn't bode well for the experience factor but with playoff experienced players like Harden and Asik, this team can keep it rolling. The fresh legs will be the key and when you are as young as this team, that has got to be the focus on their attack. The Rockets finishing the season on a 20-7 run seems highly unlikely but anywhere close to that will secure. I believe 49-33 is the best case scenario but i do believe they will have to go at least 44-38 to get in. The Western Conference is too good this year from top to bottom but Red Nation will be in full effect and the "Clutch City" will be backing this team waiting for the playoff berth.


The only way to go from here is up though, like the Rocket that resembles this team.

No comments:

Post a Comment