<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They try to fight it, but human nature takes over. They get off the road, flop in a favorite chair and put their feet up, the hard work done. The problem is the work is not complete. It keeps coming. So the Rockets find themselves in their easy chairs in their elegant, comfortable and quiet new home, trying to find a way to play hard in a place so soft. They have battled this since the season began. But now, with four regular-season games left, all in Toyota Center, as the Rockets try to upgrade their performance to playoff level, they face an unusual search: how to fare as well at home as they have on the road. "You would think ... that should certainly be on our minds, to start playing better at home," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Our road record has been very, very good since we started 4-8. Our home record has been very poor. If you go into a playoff series with the intent to win, and you don't have home-court advantage ... you're going to have to win at minimum most likely two road games to win the series, counting on maybe stumbling at home in one of those games." The Rockets' 25-16 road record is the second best in franchise history. Their 22-15 record in Toyota Center going into tonight's game against the Grizzlies is the worst of any Western Conference team in line for the playoffs. "I don't have any earthly idea why that is," guard Bob Sura said. "It says something about our character to be able to play better on the road, but we haven't played to our abilities at home. It's a great road accomplishment. It doesn't say much about our home advantage. "We've been a little road weary in our last few games at home. I think we've been tired. We ought to be able to get a little rest at home, get ready for the playoffs and try to step up our play. I think it will be good for us."</div> <div align="center">Link</div> Does anyone have any explanations for the disparity in the home-away records?
I think overall the Rockets don't play as smoothly on offense at home compared to on the road. McGrady obviously plays much better on the road. At home, he tends to be more conservative on offense and defers more to Yao (who, not surprisingly, usually plays a bit better at home than on the road). I seem to get more transition opportunities on the road for some reason. I think at home we rely more on a conservative, slowed-down offense whereas on the road we take more risks and they usuallly pay off. Another thing to consider is that the Rockets played more home games in the first half of the season when they struggled, and in the second half when they've played better they've had more road games. It still seems that we play worse at home than on the road, even now, but that would definitely impact the overall record. Here's a stat breakdown for the Rockets home and away. Hopefully, it's legible. Home: Pts...Off...Def...TR...Ass...Stl...Blk...TO..A/TO.PF..Tech 91.4 10.7 32.4 43.1 21.5 7.39 4.47 13.7 1.57 21.4 0.5 ...... Rockets 91.3 11.0 30.1 41.1 20.7 7.43 4.13 12.6 1.65 21.6 0.4 ...... Opponents Road: Pts...Off...Def...TR...Ass...Stl...Blk...TO..A/TO.PF..Tech 97.2 10.7 31.2 41.9 20.4 6.29 4.63 12.6 1.62 22.7 0.4 ....... Rockets 91.3 11.0 30.1 41.1 20.7 7.43 4.13 12.6 1.65 21.6 0.4 ....... Opponent
What I remember is that when we had a five game home losing skid, we were missing McGrady, so that could be a factor. From the stats, we score better on the road, although defense remains the same. What the Rockets need to do right now is to ensure four wins in the next four home games to build up some momentum and get ready to take advantage of the 3 homecourt games we'll presumably get in the playoffs. EDIT: Looking at the stats posted again, I find that the opponents' stats are the same for both home and away. Is that a mistake, or a freaky coindence?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post"> EDIT: Looking at the stats posted again, I find that the opponents' stats are the same for both home and away. Is that a mistake, or a freaky coindence?</div> That's a mistake. The stat page on ESPN.com doesn't adjust for the opponent's stats when you look at various splits. Just noticed that. Sorry. Maybe someone can find how the Rocket's opponents play at home versus away.
If there's one thing that bothers me, its that the Rockets dont bring the same intensity at home as they do on the road...that is mainly due to the fair-weathered fans and poor attendance...we're a great road team and hold one of the best road records in the league...if we could take that into home games, we'd be so much better off...we dont have that confidence at home like we do on the road...
