Houston Rockets: The Path To The Playoffs

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Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) celebrates with forward Michael Beasley (8) after a play during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets (37-39)

Schedule: OKC, @DAL, PHX, LAL, @MIN, SAC

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This is the most interesting of all the schedules, and no it’s not just because this is a Rockets’ blog. Houston has been the most inconsistent team with big wins against Cleveland and Toronto recently but then losses to Indiana and Chicago. Houston has a tendency to play down (or up) to their opponents level so their is no way that any of these games are a simple walk in the park.

However, the Rockets did have yet another team meeting. And you know what that means. A one-game spurt of awesome basketball before crashing back down to earth with a thud. The Rockets have two huge games in the next week and both are very winnable.

Both losses to Oklahoma City so far have been mired in controversy because of the officiating and resulted in J.B. Bickerstaff receiving a fine after publicly questioning officials in the first meeting (and also the game after against Washington). The Rockets can definitely beat Oklahoma City but I wouldn’t be so confident after how they’ve played this season. Up next is the biggest game of the season, the match against the Mavs represents an opportunity to secure the tiebreaker while also giving the Mavs a loss.

I expect the Rockets to actually turn up when it matters most this time. The last four games of the year are games you would expect a team of this caliber to win and they SHOULD. Yes, “should” being the key word in that sentence. I have absolutely no confidence in the ability of the Rockets to knock out a five-game winning streak leading into the playoffs but with the soft schedule they really have to try hard to mess it up. These four last games need to all be wins if the Rockets want to avoid getting swept in the first round by the Warriors.

Projected Home Stretch Record: 5-1

End of Season Record: 42-40

Next: CLICK HERE: My Final Prediction After The Dust Settles

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