No rest for Rockets after All-Star break
After t he All- Star break, the NBA season changes from a marathon to a sprint. To keep with the track and field theme, the Rockets are entering the high hurdles.
With a 27- 28 record, they are a half game behind Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth with 27 games remaining. Of their next 11 games, nine are on the road. One of the home games is against San Antonio. According to ESPN’s BPI rankings, the Rockets are f avored in 13 games, which might enable them to squeak into the playoffs with an overall record of 40-42.
A look at the nine upcoming road games:
Feb. 19 at Phoenix
In the Tank Watch, the Suns are tied for third with Brooklyn, behind only the 76ers and Lakers. In the first game after Earl Watson became interim coach to replace the fired Jeff Hornacek, the Suns lost to the Rockets 111-105 in Phoenix on Feb. 4. The Suns are 0-4 under Watson. This is a must-win for the Rockets.
Feb. 23 at Utah
The Jazz have lost twice to the Rockets but won seven of eight games before the break to leapfrog over them into a playoff position. According to SB Nation, the Jazz have several “gimmes” coming up. The Rockets aren’t in the category but are, according to the website, a “should win” game for the Jazz.
Feb. 25 at Portland
The Trail Blazers are in a three-way battle with the Jazz and Rockets for the seventh and eighth positions i n the West. Portland, like Utah, is hot, having won eight of their last 10. Included were two blowout victories over the Rockets. After the most recent, Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff declared, “We’re broken.”
Feb. 29 at Milwaukee
One of the Bucks’ few highlights so f ar this season was the selection of owner Marc Lasry for the All-Star celebrity game. The Bucks are 22-32 but won their final two games before the break. They are somewhat optimistic because 17 of their next 24 games are at home.
March 5 at Chicago
The Bulls’ injury situation is so desperate that Jimmy Butler is taking rehab advice from Derrick Rose. Butler won’t be back for the game against the Rockets. Joakim Noah is out for the season. They are holding on to seventh place in the East, but they are in a tailspin and complaining about ball movement. Sound l i ke any team you know?
March 6 at Toronto
The Raptors have won 14 of their last 16 games — one of the losses inexplicably to Minnesota just before the break — and have moved into second place in the East, three games behind Cleveland.
March 9 at Philadelphia
The 76ers again seemed headed f or the NBA’s worst record. But after a 1-30 start, they are 7-15 si nce Christmas. The Rockets aren’t remarkably better at 11-14. The 76ers have lost 14 games by two possessions or less.
March 11 at Boston
Look who’s back. The Celtics won 25 games two seasons ago but now have the third-best record in the East. They’ve won 10 of their last 12.
March 12 at Charlotte
They won four of their last five before the break to move into eighth place in the East but against lost Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a shoulder i njury. He’s out for the season. Trying to shore up, they traded with Memphis for shooting guard Courtney Lee.