Rockets vs. Nuggets - Let's Get that 2 seed!

by UofTOrange on Apr 13, 2008 10:48 AM CDT

I'd love to write about the Phoenix Suns butt kicking, but apparently, me saying "The Rockets won by 11" meant "I watched the game, please delete if from the DVR" to my wife. Note to all reading this: Be clear about what you say to a pregnant woman. The bottom line is I did not get to watch anything but the last 3 minutes and I only heard the game on the radio after the Rockets went down 13-2 until halftime. So I will take personal credit for the Rockets big lead and big win.

Next up, the Rockets take on the Denver Nuggets at 8PM CST in Denver, CO. A win by the Rockets tonight would do two things: 1. Continue a chance for them to win the 2 seed, have a shot at the 1 seed (albeit a long shot one) and put Golden State back in the driver's seat for the 8 seed. A win for the Nuggets will let them keep the 8 seed as they own the tie breaker with GS.

Denver Nuggets: 48-32 (31-8 at home) 6-4 in their last 10

Houston Rockets: 54-25 (24-15 on the road) 7-3 in their last 10

The Nuggets are a very good home team, owning the fourth best Western Conference home record. I for one think being a high energy team that can deliver on that in the altitude gives them a distinct advantage in Denver. They've lost to New Orleans, Indiana, LA Lakers, Portland, Golden State, Utah, Detroit, and Sacramento, so only 2 of the 8 were to lesser teams, the rest were to teams with winning records.

The last time the Rockets traveled to Denver, they took a 14-10 Nuggets team to the wire, ultimately losing 112-111 in OT. It was a big step for the Rockets, and while I'm not one that is big on moral victories, if their was such a thing, this was it. The Rockets started to roll shortly after, going 42-11 since.

I think this game will come down to two factors:
1. Can the Rockets hold Denver under 100 points
2. Can the Rockets get a lead early and extend it with the reserves

If either of those comes true, the Rockets should win. If both of them come true, the Rockets should win by 10 plus. If neither comes true it could be a long night. This should be win 6 out of 8 in a row to end the season.

Go Rockets!

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Comments

Go rockets!
love,
a warriors fan.

by Anonymous on Apr 13, 2008 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

is shane playing?

by Anonymous on Apr 13, 2008 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

why not the 1 seed...if we win out, that's what we get...it would be a much easier playoff trek...

by daniel on Apr 13, 2008 5:42 PM CDT reply actions

and a "long shot" it's not- it's pretty simple...win three games, and they're the 1 seed

by daniel on Apr 13, 2008 5:43 PM CDT reply actions

Technically they could be in a tiebreaker that they lose, but I haven't actually done the real look yet because I didn't expect LA to beat New Orleans

by UofTOrange on Apr 13, 2008 6:03 PM CDT reply actions

they completely control their destiny - they own the tie breaker against LA - win out, they're the number 1 seed under any circumstance

by daniel on Apr 13, 2008 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

note to that - they are tied for the lead in the loss column with the Lakers, therefor no team could catch them if they win 3 - and they've beat LA 2 out of 3 times.

by daniel on Apr 13, 2008 6:20 PM CDT reply actions

They don't control their own destiny quite yet. If the Lakers lose to the Kings on Tuesday and the Rockets and Hornets win out, the Hornets would win the tiebreaker due to division record. Rockets would be the #2 seed.

Of course, Sportscenter, right after the Lakers-Spurs game, didn't even include the Rockets in their #1 seed discussion. In fact, Jon Barry, ex-Rocket and reallly bad analyst, stated that the Lakers controlled their own destiny. Not sure what Jon has against his former team, but ever since Yao went out, he's pretty much either gave them no chance or ignored them.

by Patrick on Apr 13, 2008 7:57 PM CDT reply actions

Things that really suck?

I'm still at work and have to *gamecast* the game tonight. Weak!!!

by grungedave on Apr 13, 2008 8:01 PM CDT reply actions

Bored waiting for the game to start so let me throw out this strange, but very realistic possibility.

1) Rockets win tonight, lose at Utah tomorrow, and then beat the Clippers on Wednesday.

2) Lakers beat the Kings on Tuesday

3) Hornets win their last two games

4) Spurs lose to the Kings tomorrow night and to the Jazz on Wednesday

5) Phoenix beats Golden State and Portlad.

This would create a Midwestern division bracket in the Western Conference as the matchups would be (Home team first):

Lakers-Warriors/Nuggets
Hornets-Mavs
Rockets-Spurs
Jazz-Suns

Second round would see the Hornets/Mavs winner face the Rockets/Spurs winner.

by Patrick on Apr 13, 2008 8:07 PM CDT reply actions