Houston Rockets' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for December
Despite some key injuries throughout the first month of the season, the Houston Rockets have weathered the storm quite well. Among the top teams in the West, the Rockets jumped out of the gate to a 6-0 start and have been battling with the best ever since. November was an overall success in Houston, but a dreary December looms ahead.
The Rockets have a tough road in the near future to close out 2014. They face each of the top five teams out West (not including themselves), and they'll put their impressive home winning streak against the Eastern Conference on the line a few times as well. So far this season, Houston has been able to beat the teams they're supposed to, excluding the one loss at home to the Los Angeles Lakers, but have fallen short against the cream of the crop.
This holiday season, Clutch City will get some more opportunities to take down some of the top-tier teams in the league.
There are some divisional matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. There will be a playoff rematch against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets also have a couple of nationally televised games versus the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
There are plenty of good games to look forward to on the slate for Houston. Here's a breakdown and record prediction for the Rockets in the month of December.
Week 1: December 1-6
1 of 5
Wednesday, December 3, 8 p.m. EST
Grizzlies vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
In a highly anticipated matchup between two 9-1 teams, the Grizz absolutely dominated the Rockets from start to finish in a blowout, 119-93 win on November 17. Even with Patrick Beverley and Dwight Howard in the lineup, Memphis just poured it on at home against Houston.
The Rockets had been struggling a bit before that seemingly inevitable loss. Coming off a trip to Mexico City and two narrow wins over the inferior Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston went in to one of the toughest places to play on the second night of a back-to-back. The result was not pretty.
The Grizzlies had their way with Houston. They were hitting their shots, owning the paint and excelling in transition with 27 fast-break points. The Rockets, on the other hand, could not hit water from a boat. They shot 8-of-34 from deep and turned it over a miserable 21 times.
"...We won't forget this one," said veteran guard Jason Terry to Rockets.com's Chad Shanks. "This will still be in our hearts." This chance at redemption is an attractive opportunity for Houston to reimpose its reputation as a top team in the NBA.
Memphis is still atop the West with one of the best records in the league, just slightly ahead of the Rockets. A solid win at home could give the Rockets their swag back, but they'll need Howard to pull it off.
The big man has been nursing a sore knee for a bit now, but he and could be eyeing a return against the grit-and-grind Grizz. Even so, Memphis is a tough matchup and could hand Houston a home loss to start the month off on the wrong foot.
Prediction: Loss
Friday, December 5, 8 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Timberwolves, Target Center, ROOT
This matchup will be Houston's second away game versus the Wolves technically, after the contest in Mexico City counted as a road match for the much-closer Rockets for some odd reason. Nevertheless, the Rockets will be looking for another win against the young T-Wolves, this time in America.
Minny has not been able to chalk up a lot of W's early on this year. With a young cast featuring budding stars like Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Zach LaVine, there have been quite a few growing pains up north in the Twin Cities. Especially now with former Rocket Kevin Martin sidelined with a fractured wrist and point guard Ricky Rubio out indefinitely, things will only get tougher for the Wolves.
Assuming they stay healthy (enough), Houston should win this one pretty easily.
Prediction: Win
Saturday, December 6, 8 p.m. EST
Suns vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
In another questionable scheduling conflict, the Rockets have to travel back to Houston from Minneapolis to take on the Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back. Last year's NBA darlings, the Suns have been able to build on that success and enter the playoff race to start off the 2014-15 season.
The Suns have a respectable record above .500 as they still try to work out their three-headed monster rotation at point guard with Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. In addition to Dragic, the Suns also have a couple of former Rockets in both Marcus Morris and Gerald Green.
Phoenix has been a pleasant surprise the last season-and-a-half, but it probably still can't keep up with Houston. It also will be on the second night of a back-to-back coming off a game in Dallas the night before. Even if P.J. Tucker can contain Harden like he has in the past, the Suns have no one to matchup with Dwight down low.
Prediction: Win
Week 2: December 7-13
2 of 5
Wednesday, December 10, 10:30 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Warriors, Oracle Arena, ROOT
In their last matchup, it was a close contest until the end, when Steph Curry and crew blew it open against a shorthanded Rockets squad in Houston. The Rockets were without Howard, Beverley and Jones, and Golden State took advantage as Curry stole the show.
Curry dropped 34 points with six threes to go along with nine boards, five assists and four steals. With Bev out of the lineup, he was able to torch the Rockets defense in a way that only Curry can. Andrew Bogut was also able to wreak havoc in Dwight's absence, hauling in 18 rebounds and doling out four blocks.
Thus far, the Warriors have just one loss at home, falling to the defending-champion Spurs. They are a top-10 team both offensively and defensively, giving up just 96.4 points per game while scoring 107.4 of their own.
This is not an easy win on the road, and unless Houston shows me something in the week before, I don't like their chances coming out of Oakland with a win. Although, I'm not saying it's impossible either, as the Rockets have dominated the season series against Golden State in recent past.
Prediction: Loss
Thursday, December 11, 10:30 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Kings, Sleep Train Arena, TNT
In a recent home win over the Kings, the Rockets were able to scrape out a victory despite injuries to Howard, Jones and Beverley and a poor shooting night from James Harden. With the help of career nights from both Isaiah Canaan and Donatas Motiejunas and some great team defense, the undermanned Rockets churned out a quality win over a surprisingly impressive Sacramento team.
The Kings were a bit shorthanded as well in the last contest, missing Darren Collison and Rudy Gay to injuries of their own. The next time these two meet, things should go down somewhat differently with new players in the mix.
DeMarcus Cousins had a monster game in the previous matchup with 29 points and 17 rebounds, but having Howard back to battle him in the paint should change that result. Also, Gay gives the Kings a second scoring option that they needed desperately in the loss to Houston, so that could shake things up as well.
Overall, despite a great start for the Kings, the Rockets are still clearly the better team and should be able to pick up a win on the road in front of a national audience.
Prediction: Win
Saturday, December 13, 8 p.m. EST
Nuggets vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
This is the first game of back-to-back matchups against the Nuggets. Denver got off to a putrid 1-6 before bouncing back and getting to the .500 mark. Still, in a crowded Western Conference, it will be tough to get back in the playoff race for this mediocre Denver squad.
Things won't get any easier with a trip to Houston. The Rockets got off to the complete opposite start than the Nuggets, and they are 6-1 against lottery teams from last season so far. Both teams will get some rest before this one tips, and odds are the Rockets will have just too much firepower for the Nuggets to pull off an upset.
Prediction: Win
Week 3: December 14-20
3 of 5
Wednesday, December 17, 10:30 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Nuggets, Pepsi Center, ESPN
The Rockets get the Nuggets for a second consecutive game, this time in the Mile High City. It's hard for a team to beat another team two games in a row, but Denver has already lost back-to-backs in that fashion this year, twice! Earlier this season, the Nuggets dropped two games back-to-back against Sacramento and then again to Portland.
It's very possible that the Nuggets do the same against the Rockets. They can't match up very well against Harden or Howard, and they already give up the fourth-most points per game, so the Rockets should have a field day. Denver is a good offensive team, but the Rockets boast the league's best defensive efficiency so it shouldn't be an issue.
The Nuggets also have a game in between their two contests against Houston, so that gives the Rockets yet another advantage. This could be a close one on national TV, but Houston should come away with a win.
Prediction: Win
Thursday, December 18, 8:30 p.m. EST
Pelicans vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons have already made their highly anticipated returns to the Toyota Center. The only one left to come back is Omer Asik. The Turkish big man had wanted out of Houston ever since the Rockets inked Dwight Howard, and his wish finally came true when he was traded this offseason to make room for Chris Bosh.
The Pelicans have hovered around .500 this year behind the MVP-like efforts of Anthony Davis. He and Asik have created a formidable frontcourt together—one of the best in the business. New Orleans is trying to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since they were the Hornets and Chris Paul was in town. Coach Monty Williams is on the hot seat, but this could finally be the year that NOLA can crack its way into the postseason.
Even at above .500, the Pelicans are still in last place in the toughest division in the NBA. The Rockets, Grizzlies, Spurs and Mavericks all have title aspirations this season, while the Pelicans are just trying to get a taste of playoff basketball. With a great young core in place, the Pelicans have a chance, but their inexperience may come back to haunt them.
That being the case, it will also be tough for them to march into Houston and get a win over their division rival. Since Davis has joined the league, the Rockets are 6-2 against New Orleans. This matchup will be fun to watch throughout the season.
With Houston coming off a tough one in Denver the night before, the Pelicans may have the upper hand in the first of four matchups against these two teams. In Asik's return, NOLA can sneak up on Houston and come away with a division win on the road.
Prediction: Loss
Saturday, December 20, 8 pm EST
Hawks vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
The Rockets have won 19 straight games against the Eastern Conference at home, the longest active streak in the NBA. After sweeping the East last season, going 15-0 at the Toyota Center, the Rockets have wins over the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Sixers so far this year. The Hawks could make win No. 20.
Oddly enough, the Hawks fell victim to the Rockets as win No. 20 in a different win streak. Back in the 2007-08 season, the Rockets won 22 straight games, good for the third-longest streak in NBA history.
Anyway, the Hawks this year, similar to the Pelicans, have hovered around the .500 mark. Atlanta features a great frountcourt in Paul Millsap and Al Horford, and Jeff Teague is a nice piece at the point. However, the Hawks are still in the rebuilding stage under coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Rockets are clearly the better team here, and they should bounce back after the loss to the Pelicans if that happens to be the case. Houston will keep its winning streak alive.
Prediction: Win
Week 4: December 21-27
4 of 5
Monday, December 22, 8 p.m. EST
Trail Blazers vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
It's a shame this one isn't on national television, as this matchup was perhaps the most entertaining playoff series all of last season. It didn't make it to seven games, but the entire series was decided by just a few points, with each game more dramatic than the previous one.
The Rockets haven't seen the Blazers since the .9-second catastrophe, and they get their first shot at revenge in their own building right before Christmas time.
After a bit of a shaky start, Portland has emerged as one of the hottest teams in all the NBA this season. They have kept their high-powered offense in place led by Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, and now they are sporting a top-10 defense. That is a good recipe for success.
However, there is a lot of time between now and then. The Trail Blazers have some tough games against the likes of Memphis, San Antonio and the Chicago Bulls before their date with Houston. Hopefully, the red-hot Blazers will cool off before the playoff rematch, and a healthy Rockets squad with revenge on their minds can earn a hard-fought win at home.
Prediction: Win
Friday, December 26, 8 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Grizzlies, FedEx Forum, ROOT
After two straight victories on Christmas day, the Rockets were booted from the holiday's slate of games this year, but that's not nearly the worst news of late December. The Rockets have an extremely tough schedule before the new year, including a return trip to the dangerous FedEx Forum.
We all know how the previous meeting went down. The Grizz have dominated at home and could very easily continue to do so against the Rockets the day after Xmas. It probably won't be a brutal beatdown like the last matchup, as both teams will be well-rested, but Memphis certainly will have the upper hand.
The Grindhouse has become perhaps the scariest place to play in the NBA in 2014. The Grizzlies have the best record of any team in the league since January of last season. They'll look to end the year like they started and protect their home court against Houston.
Prediction: Loss
Final Week and Conclusion
5 of 5
Sunday, December 28, 7 p.m. EST
Rockets vs. Spurs, AT&T Center, ROOT
The defending champs have dominated the NBA and marched their way to a Finals win in 2014, but there's one thing they could not do: beat the Rockets. The last time San Antonio won a game against Houston was December 28, 2012. This game will mark the two-year anniversary of the last Spurs win over their division rival.
This is the Spurs' last chance to beat Houston in 2014 and avoid a two-year skid. It's hard to imagine that this losing streak has kept Gregg Popovich up at night, considering all the championships and division titles under his belt, but it has to at least be an annoyance to the Spurs faithful.
The Rockets have owned this matchup ever since acquiring Dwight Howard and could very well continue to do so. Houston matches up well against the defending champs, with Howard down low, Harden's scoring ability, Bev's defense on Tony Parker and Terrence Jones as an X-factor (hoping he'll be healthy by then).
It's never easy to pick up a win at the AT&T Center, but if any team had a good chance of doing it, it would be the Rockets. Call me crazy, but I think Houston will continue its dominance over their in-state rival and extend the winning streak to two years.
Prediction: Win
Monday, December 29, 8 p.m. EST
Wizards vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
The night after a big showdown in San Antonio, the Rockets' winning streak against the East at home may finally come to an end. The Wizards are right there at the top of the conference, behind only the Toronto Raptors.
The Wiz have taken advantage of an easy schedule early on but have looked impressive nonetheless. John Wall is running the show, with other guys like Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat and Paul Pierce pitching in. Despite the hot start, Washington still does not rank in the top 10 in either offense or defense.
Houston is on the second night of a difficult back-to-back, but the Rockets have held their own at home, especially against the East. This could go down to the wire, but Trevor Ariza going against his former team should bring his A-game. That combined with Harden's heroics and Howard's presence inside should give the Rockets a minor advantage.
Prediction: Win
Wednesday, December 31, 7 p.m. EST
Hornets vs. Rockets, Toyota Center, ROOT
The home winning streak gets another big test the very next game as Charlotte comes to town. There were high hopes coming into this season for Buzz City, with the team coming off a playoff appearance and the big signing of guard Lance Stephenson. However, a seven-game losing streak has deflated a lot of the hype.
The Hornets have struggled tremendously to start the year and find themselves on the wrong side of the eighth seed in the standings. They have enough time and talent to make a recovery in a weaker Eastern Conference, but a quick trip to Texas won't solve anything.
The Rockets could get the chance to extend their streak to 22 games over the East at home, provided they beat Atlanta and Washington first. Houston should be able to take care of business at the Launch Pad and get a W on New Year's Eve.
Prediction: Win
Conclusion
December will be an interesting endeavor for the Rockets. The month of November was a great success, but the Rockets will run into some big tests before closing out the year. Trips to Memphis, San Antonio and Golden State won't be easy. Plus they have a playoff rematch against Portland and a winning streak over the East to worry about.
There are a couple gimmes here and there, but Houston will face a lot of quality opponents in the coming month. The Rockets will have to hang tough and win the games they're supposed to in order to stay in the top four of the West.
December Record Prediction: 10-4
Seed Prediction: Fourth in West, Second in Southwest
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