Houston Rockets Schedule: February 2009

The Houston Rockets schedule in February is filled with big match ups as the Rockets shoot up the Southwest standings!

Houston Rockets: January Wrap Up
After going 10-5 in the month of December, the Houston Rockets struggled a bit throughout January due to injuries and an ever-changing starting lineup. After dropping three-straight games to Eastern Conference opponents to kick off 2009, the Houston Rockets bounced back with three-straight wins against – none bigger than an uplifting 89-85 victory over the Boston Celtics that had Houston Rockets ticketholders buzzing for days.

After a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in mid-January, the Houston Rockets’ followed with three straight wins to playoff contenders – the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and Utah Jazz. To round out the end of the month, the Houston Rockets dropped yet another close decision to the Indiana Pacers before notching a win over the Detroit Pistons. Back-to-back losses to the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers were hard to swallow, especially with T-Mac and Ron Artest back in the lineup. The Houston Rockets punctuated the month with a big win over the Golden State Warriors.

Houston Rockets: Team Outlook
Injuries (yet again) plagued the Houston Rockets this month. With T-Mac and Ron Artest sitting on the sidelines for a good part of the month, fans with Houston Rockets tickets watched players such as Von Wafer, Luis Scola, and Carl Landry step up alongside big man Yao Ming. January should have been the month that the Houston Rockets put together enough wins to top the Southwest. Fortunately, the Houston Rockets are still right on the heels of the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets in the standings. Now that T-Mac, Ron Artest, and Yao Ming are all healthy, it’s time for the Rockets to prove that they are a legitimate contender on the floor and not just on paper.

Houston Rockets: February Outlook
In the 11 games the Houston Rockets have scheduled this month, eight of them are at home inside the friendly confines of Toyota Center. Moreover, most of the Houston Rockets – outside of Yao Ming, Luis Scola, and Aaron Brooks – will look forward to some much-needed R&R when the NBA All-Star Break rolls around.

The Houston Rockets February schedule should feature sure-fire wins over young teams like the Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets, and Charlotte Bobcats. The Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cleveland Cavaliers will be tough challenged toward the end of the month.

Houston Rockets: Must Wins
The Houston Rockets have what it takes to go 6-0 to kick off February. The Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies are no doubt young, talented, and athletic, but neither is a match for Houston’s star power. The Minnesota Timberwolves may be sitting below .500 in the standings, but they are a team that has surprised many hoops pundits and fans alike. Wins over the Milwaukee Bucks sans Michael Redd along with the Sacramento Kings and New Jersey Nets should give the Houston Rockets some momentum heading into some tough games coming up.

Houston Rockets: I-45 Rivalry
The first true test comes against Southwest Division foe Dallas Mavericks. The two teams have met twice already this season with each team at one win apiece. Big man Dirk Nowitzki is always a tall task for the Houston Rockets as he stretches the floor like few other big men in the league. Even so, Houston Rockets ticketholders expect their team to tally a win on its home floor.

Houston Rockets: Redemption
Fans with Houston Rockets tickets can’t shake the image of Brandon Roy sinking that buzzer-beating, Hail Mary of a half-court shot back in November. The Houston Rockets went down with a 101-99 overtime loss – a defeat that stings more than perhaps any other this season. The Houston Rockets will no doubt seek redemption against the young Portland Trail Blazers this and hope to come away with a win at Toyota Center this time around. Another loss that the Houston Rockets will try to avenge will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Rockets 99-90 in late December.