66 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Home for SAS, home for Pacers, @Memphis, home for Clippers.

 

Right now, they are 3 up on LAL in the loss column and 4 up on the Jazz in the loss column.  Tied with the Warriors in the loss column.

 

This stretch, I think, pretty much makes or breaks the season as things look much smoother going forward.

 

I can very easily see the Rockets dropping all 4 of these games.  Luckily they've built enough cushion to where they can do that and still withstand it and recover.

 

My prediction is 1-3.  I think they'll lose to everyone but the Pacers.

 

Thought knowing Houston, we'll go 4-0 and then lose to Orlando and Sacramento the following week.  

[timetodienow1234567]

Realistically, we'll probably go 0-4.

 

But the Spurs are a winnable game based on how many minutes Duncan logged last night. He'll probably sit out the game(hopefully).

The Pacers are a winnable game if DMo can keep West from getting 30+ points.

Memphis is a loss. I don't see how we beat them with DMo guarding ZBo.

If the Clippers shots aren't falling, we could beat them.

 

We could go 3-1. But there's too many variables and I think we end up going 1-3 with a win over the Pacers.

[rockets best fan]

I have been watching this portion of the schedule for a couple of weeks now. if we can withstand it we will be a shoe in for the playoffs. this is why I was so pissed at the loses to phoenix and dallas. I wanted more cushion headed into these games. if we can go at least 2-2 we cement our playoff ticket. anything less and we are still on the bubble (IMO). I think we can beat indiana and memphis. it's unlikely we beat the machine that is the spurs and we have had no luck against the clippers. these games have me so uptight I might have to go get a card reading from miss lucy  is miss cleo still around?  ..................just kidding around

[phaketrash]

I don't think we'll go 0-4 at all. I think we take either the Pacers game or the MEM game. One of the two. Surprised if both. SAS and LAC are tougher wins, but we might be able to pull an OKC-win on one of them haha. Would love to see 2-2, but expect 1-3.

[thejohnnygold]

I like our chances against the Pacers and Grizz as well.  They excel at half court defense, but we don't play a lot of true half court offense so that limits their strength against us.  Isn't Tony Parker out with an ankle injury?  That would help...plus, wouldn't it make sense that Pop would prefer to face the lakers in round 1 instead of Houston and let us try to take out OKC?  He can help make sure that happens by "giving" us the win...surely this happens in the NBA, right?

 

Clippers probably beat us.

 

So, is 3-1 too optimistic?

[phaketrash]

I think 3-1 is a bit optimistic (though not impossible and certainly not unwanted!!), esp. since Parker is back. He just embarrassed Utah last night. Was tentative in the first, but in the 4th and OT, was close to his old self again, posting a 22-5 game on 62% FG shooting :S. So not only will TP be playing tomorrow against us, he'd be ready too

[2016Champions]

I think we win at least one or two. I feel like we have been playing great, things are finally clicking again since the trade and we're a very tough team to beat at home *knocks on wood*. 

[Steven]

Rockets win out.

[rockets best fan]

Rockets win out.

now that's optimistic

[feelingsupersonic]

In any of these games if Harden goes off there is always that chance to pull out any of these.

With that said I will be curious as to what Pop does and believe the Rockets will probably lose to the Spurs. Parker is back, Timmy is Timmy and Manu will elevate his poor game of late to show up his fellow Argentinian. With a few days rest/practice and some lessons learned from the Spurs I believe the good guys will take the Pacers down as they are a sub par team on the road (15-18) and the Rockets should be able to outrun their half court defense just as johnnygold mentioned above. After being tested by the first two games of the stretch with enough time to travel to Memphis but not enough time to lose focus it will fall on key Rockets players to bring the A game at both ends (Harden, Asik, Lin). Lastly, with the Clippers being the back end of a back to back I can see the Rockets falling into the turnover/not getting back on D/too many three pointer/low energy trap that happens to young teams.

Best case scenario: 2 out of 4

[2016Champions]

I hope Pop doesn't put Kawhi on Harden. I honestly think Kawhi is the best perimeter defender in the league already. 

 

[timetodienow1234567]

Lol. He's not an alien.......or is he?

[2016Champions]

hahahaha

[phaketrash]

Freaking hate facehuggers!

[2016Champions]

His hands are like those facehuggers lol

 

[Richards]

If we go 0-4, somebody will sweep us in first round.

 

Likely result is 1-3.

[feelingsupersonic]

I don't think what the Rockets do over the next 4 games really effects how they will play in the playoffs. This team is too young and potentially streaky for example they could win 3 of the next 4 but still get swept in the playoffs. I think the playoffs are much more contingent upon who the opponent is. I think this stretch of four games might be more inform us more of their development post trade especially with regards team defense. Any small defensive improvements might be irrelevant in the playoffs if their offensive scheme is not as effective in a series of adjustments with a slower pace.

Also the Memphis game looks somewhat easier with Gasol clogging the lane.

[thejohnnygold]

Agreed.  I too am curious about what McHale (or whoever is in charge of the offense) can do once our opponent locks down our main offensive attacks.  I'm hoping for some kind of "I am not really left-handed" moment and they suddenly transform into an inside-out offense running through D-Mo and T-Rob in the post (even if it is largely just a decoy to set-up the standard penetration).  I think we could steal a game doing that.  I think we can win one game solely on hitting 50%+ from 3.  After that, we're going to need some defensive effort to grind out a couple of close ones.  Here's to optimism!

[feelingsupersonic]

I guess I don't have high expectations for the playoffs but I do hope we avoid any blunders, like of the "fighting a land war in Asia" type of magnitude blunder.

[thejohnnygold]

Nice!

 

At this point I am actually rooting for an OKC match-up.  I think we can give them a run for their money.

 

That being said, Sefolosha has turned into a very solid player and Reggie Jackson is beginning to play well at the back-up PG position (looks like Presti nailed another pick).  If we can get their bigs in foul trouble and knock down our open looks we can do some damage.  Closing out on the three point line will be crucial.

 

It would be a shocker to advance past the first round, but it's fun to imagine for now.