http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_op...185910-822.html<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>HOUSTON -- The Rockets will open their 2006-07 home slate with the reigning Western Conference champions in their house.The NBA released its full schedule Tuesday with the Rockets tipping off their home schedule on Nov. 4 against the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center.Before taking on the Mavericks, the Rockets will open the season on the road against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 1.The Rockets will be opening the season away from home for the second time in three seasons. Behind perennial All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets are expected to compete for a postseason spot in the 2006-07 season after acquiring forward Shane Battier in a trade and getting their star players healthy. The Rockets missed the playoffs last season after being slowed down by a rash of injuries. After the trip to Salt Lake City, the Rockets will host their Southwest Division rival. The history between the Rockets and Mavericks is loaded with memorable moments, including a seven-game series in the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs.After cruising to a 60-win season in 2005-06, the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 26.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season to become an All-NBA first team performer. The Rockets won't remain in town long after that matchup as they play six of their next nine games on the road in what should be their most difficult stretch of the season. Seven of the Rockets' first 10 games are against teams that reached the playoffs in 2006. The home schedule features dates against NBA Finals MVP Dwayne Wade and the NBA champion Miami Heat (Feb. 21), LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (Dec. 2), NBA scoring champ Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 12 and Jan. 10), Tim Duncan and the rival San Antonio Spurs (Nov. 14 and March 3) and two-time MVP Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns (Jan. 17 and Apr. 16). The Rockets will also host the Mavericks again on Feb. 15. The Rockets will begin and end their season in Salt Lake City against the Jazz and they will play on New Year's Eve for the fifth straight season with a matchup against Battier's old team, the Memphis Grizzlies.The team's longest home stand of the season spans five games, beginning Jan. 26 against the Portland Trailblazers and ending Feb. 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.The Rockets will make 21 national television appearances with nine on NBA TV, seven on ESPN, three on TNT and two on ABC.Before tipping off the regular season, the Rockets will host three preseason games, starting Oct. 10 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Milwaukee Bucks and Spurs will also come to town in the preseason. Season tickets packages are available in most price ranges. Deposits are also being accepted for group tickets and mini-plans, which include half-season, 14-game and six-game plans.</div>And we start our home opener...Against DALLAS :nasty:
