THE Houston Rockets Team management enters the 2024-25 NBA season with plenty of reasons to be optimistic again. After an offseason where they didn’t evolve much, management is banking on the development of its young core to make significant progress in the Western Conference. Fred Van Vleet, Dillon Brooksand Steven Adams will serve as veterans in the locker room to help Ime Udoka guide this rookie team.
THE The Rockets did well to maintain their flexibility during the free agency frenzy. Rookie Reed Sheppard is already being hailed by rival executives. Houston appears to be on the right track and has even been placed in a manageable NBA Cup group stage. A run through the schedule resulted in an uptick in wins last season, but unfortunately, this team is on track for the same results as the summer break begins.
Boot successful but launch failed
Houston has a few games before Halloween that are downright spooky. The Rockets open the season at home against the Charlotte Hornets (1-0), get a day off, then host Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies (1-1). Less than 24 hours later, the South Texas tango begins with two road games in three days against the San Antonio Spurs (2-2). A trip on October 31 to see Luka Doncic (2-3) is more of a trick than a treat.
November will be a time of varied challenges. The Rockets will face the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs before traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Detroit Pistons could pose a challenge 36 hours later with a 2:00 p.m. game. Less than 24 hours after that, they will host the Washington Wizards at home. Then, it will be a day off before the Los Angeles Clippers come to town for a two-game series (5-8).
The Rockets need to capitalize on games against rebuilding teams like the Chicago Bulls, but who knows if Lonzo Ball will be back (6-8). NBA TV will air Houston against the Milwaukee Bucks for the second game of a two-game series (6-9). The next flight lands in Houston for a three-game home series against the Indiana Pacers and two games in two nights against the Portland Trail Blazers (8-10).
Thanksgiving games will be against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Nov. 26) and Philadelphia 76ers (Nov. 27) to close out the month (8-12). These first 20 games will be a test of faith as much as the will to stick with the status quo. Plans are subject to change if the team falls too far behind the top eight in the West.
Rockets hope for enriching vacation
December could be a make-or-break month for management purchases at the trade deadline. First up is a home game against Oklahoma City before a three-game West Coast trip to see the Sacramento Kings, Warriors and Clippers (9-13). The next two games are currently unknown due to the NBA Cup playoffs.
Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans will be making a trip to the other Bayou City to start Christmas week (10-13). The Rockets will have to clear customs before Santa starts dropping off presents, which only adds to the holiday headaches. A rematch in Charlotte after playing the Toronto Raptors is another coal in the stocking (11-14). Then it’s a trip to the Big Easy the day after the presents are unwrapped (11-15).
The Rockets will need the home cooking that comes with a five-game homestand to start the new year. Minnesota will meet Ime Udoka’s team in Houston less than a day after leaving New Orleans. Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat, Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are the next four in line. A trip to Washington after this week should get Houston back to within four games of .500 (14-18).
Five of the next six games are away and could be the nail in the coffin to rule out any possibility of qualifying for the playoffs. The Grizzlies are the only team coming to see the Rockets at home. Houston also travels to Memphis during this period with stops against the Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento and Portland (17-23). Finally, the Rockets will have a day of rest before hosting the Pistons (18-23), who are expected to be in the lottery.
January is shaping up to be a tough month. First up, the Cleveland Cavaliers at home. Then, the Rockets and Cavaliers travel to Ohio for a rematch. Houston finishes the month with stops in Boston and a TNT broadcast at Memphis (19-26).
Fighting for Love to end the season
There is no rest for the weary and schedule makers are not left out. Houston has eight games to play in 13 days, including four road games. A home battle against the Brooklyn Nets will begin the two weeks before Valentine’s Day (20-26). Away games in New York, Brooklyn, Minnesota and Dallas (21-29) will likely be the final blow to any hope of a fight. There is still a glimmer of hope, however, with seven of the next eight games at home.
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The Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Warriors and Timberwolves travel to Houston before the Rockets take on the Utah Jazz (22-33). Milwaukee and San Antonio on ESPN meet in the return leg to close out February (23-34).
March is typically a month of workload management by top teams and deep dives by lottery teams. Four games in six days, including three on the road, will test the stamina of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. The Kings, Thunder, Pacers and Pelicans should all play fast to secure a spot in the top six (25-36).
A six-game homestand in mid-March could be the last chance to salvage the season. The Pelicans and Orlando Magic are beatable at any point (27-36). The Suns are a top-heavy team that relies on health, and the Mavericks will rest their All-Stars (29-36). Chicago should be cannon fodder after selling off any useful salary (30-36). The 76ers will still be looking to build chemistry between Paul George and Joel Embiid (30-37).
A trip to Florida for a game between the Magic and Heat (31-38) is one of the easiest trips to take with the family, especially with a day off in between. The Nuggets and Hawks at home is another chance to keep the momentum going (32-39) in the play-in race. Four of the next nine games are scheduled to be broadcast on NBA TV. The league office expects some late-game excitement.
Away games against the Jazz, Suns and Lakers will be a good way to catch up with the rest of the West’s middle class (35-39). Utah and OKC at home should be wins for Houston at this point (37-39). The Warriors, Clippers and Lakers follow on the road (37-42). Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets travel to Texas for the final game of the regular season (37-43).
Factoring in the two dates to be determined for the NBA Cup, the Rockets find themselves with a 38-44 Record. It’s an improvement over last season, but it’s likely only good enough for 10th place in the Western Conference. How management handles this information will indicate how quickly owners want to open a championship window around this young core.
