With 9 games left to go in the season, the Rockets sit comfortably in the 7th spot in the West, 2 games above the 9th seeded Nuggets. They seem like a lock for the playoffs. Now, the question remains, how far will they go?
I think they have a great shot at advancing if they play either Minnesota or LA. We seem to matchup well with both teams, altho I cant see us beating Sacto, Dallas or SA.
I think if I were the Rockets I would do want to maintain that #7 spot and hope the Wolves maintain that #2 seed. Though the Rockets have had L.A.'s number all season, the playoffs are a whole other level and I don't think they have a chance against us there. The Wolves on the other hand, have been on a recent slide and have been unable to win big games lately. San Antonio and Memphis are catching up for that #2 spot, so I'd start praying that Minnesota starts winning games if I were a Rockets fan.
I like Houston too, but there's no way that they could beat the Lakers. Talk about upset, the regular season doesn't mean jack. The Rockets haven't been to the playoffs since 2k if I'm not mistaken. + Steve still isn't comfortable with Van Gundy's system. All of his numbers have dropped this year, he looks lost sometimes.
No way the Rockets want to face the Lakers in the first round. With the way they've been playing, winning nine straight games and could make it ten tonight, that Laker team would be red-hot and way too dangerous to take on in a five round first round matchup. Plus, the Rockets haven't been to the playoffs in how many years and you really think they have the advantage? Some of those players in the starting lineup have never even experienced playoff intensity before.
I'm sure that the Lakers are a team that everybody wants to avoid in the first round. It would be a different story in the succeeding rounds with all the possible injuries that the Lakers may have after a hopefully gruelling 1st round.
The only possible way for the Rockets to meet the Lakers in the first round is if LA gets first in the conference and the Rockets drop to 8th.
I want to see the Rockets get the Timberwolves in the first round. I really like the individual match-ups in that game and that is one of the few teams in the Western Confrence side of the playoffs I think the Rockets can beat in a 7 game series. I know we have beaten the Lakers in the regular season however come playoff time, the Lakers seem to get on an automatic "hot" streak. Having to face the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs would be a bad bad thing.
