Must-See Matchups

Counting down twelve of the top games in 2008-09

Rockets fans can't wait to see these two back together on the court again.

 

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Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff WriterHouston - This is typically the toughest time of the year for basketball fans. The draft is over, the free agent frenzy has cooled and the start of the NBA regular season is still nearly three months away.

Fortunately, the Olympics begin this week so hoops junkies will be able to get their fix while watching some superb international competition. But that’s not the only gift being bestowed upon basketball fans. Today, the NBA released its schedule for the 2008-2009 season and the docket is packed, as always, with a bevy of must-see matchups. In fact, the original plan for this column was to break down the top ten can’t-miss contests of the upcoming Rockets’ season (full schedule shown below), but because there were so many great games from which to choose, we opted to expand the list to twelve instead.

*Note: You'll notice the October 29th season-opener against Memphis isn't on the list. But quite frankly, if you need me to hype Yao's return and the debut of the new Rockets, then your friends and family have every right to openly question your fanhood.

So without further adieu, here are the delicious dozen:

1. November 4th: Boston vs. Houston

Pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? Not only are the Celtics the defending champs, they’re also the ones who put an end to Houston’s incredible 22-game winning streak last season. And with this contest taking place just one week into the season, the Rockets won’t have to wait too long for their shot at revenge.

2. November 19th: Dallas vs. Houston

There’s never a shortage of bad blood when these two I-45 rivals face off. Making matters even more interesting, however, is the fact that these clubs will be facing plenty of questions early on about their ability to integrate new pieces into the mix. So expect both teams to use this showdown as a measuring stick to determine how well the evolutionary process is coming along.

3. December 19th: Sacramento vs. Houston

Hmmm, call me crazy (or Miss Cleo), but something tells me there’s going to be a unique buzz surrounding this game. Just a hunch.

4. December 27th: Utah vs. Houston

All I want for Christmas is a 40 point win over the Jazz. And maybe just a little strategically placed “love tap” delivered to the sternum of Matt Harpring. You know, just to let him know we care.

5. January 17th: Miami vs. Houston

I know, I know: Miami was horrible last year. But a revitalized Dwyane Wade could be all the Heat need to surge right back into the Eastern Conference playoff mix. Having Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley doesn’t hurt, either. At the very least, Miami should be a fun team to watch next season.

6. February 26th: Cleveland vs. Houston

Is this the year LeBron James assumes the throne as the best player in the NBA? Personally, I happen to think he’s already there. But it’s worth noting that whenever James plays against the Rockets, Shane Battier always seems to make the King play more like a peasant.

7. March 6th: Phoenix vs. Houston

What to make of the Suns this year? On paper, it’s tough to quibble with a trifecta featuring Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Amare Stoudemire. But Shaq’s raps have more bite than his game these days, Nash’s creaky back can’t hold on forever, and Stoudemire still displays a tendency to treat defense the way most teens embrace fiscal responsibility. Throw a new coach and questionable depth into the mix and you’ve got a once-elite team which could be in for a precipitous fall from grace this year.

So Suns rise or Suns set? By the time this matchup rolls around, we should know the answer.

8. March 11th: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston

Who can forget the last time Kobe and Co. appeared on the Toyota Center floor? In front of a national TV audience, Rafer’s threes plus Shane’s defense equaled twenty-two wins in a row. The Sea of Red was rocking that day, and we could be in for a sequel when these two Western Conference powers collide next March.

9. March 14th: San Antonio vs. Houston

Every year it seems the Spurs sleepwalk through the first half of the season only to rise up and flex their championship muscle just in time for the stretch run. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t expect the same phenomenon to occur this season, meaning the Rockets better be ready for a fully-focused San Antonio squad come mid-March.

10. March 18th: Detroit vs. Houston

In the Shakespearean play bearing his name, Julius Caesar was warned to, “Beware the ides of March.” The Rockets would be wise to flat-out beware March, period. It’s a murderous month featuring a whopping ten games against teams which made the playoffs last season. So by the time Detroit strolls into town, Houston will definitely have a good sense as to how it stacks up against the cream of the NBA crop.

11. April 5th: Portland vs. Houston

These days it seems like the Western Conference playoffs are harder to get into than M.I.T. But with a healthy Greg Oden and a plethora of young talent, the Portland Trailblazers look like a good bet to make the grade this year. Don’t be surprised if this game ends up being a first-round playoff preview for the Rockets.

12. April 13th: New Orleans vs. Houston

Once a league laughingstock, nobody even so much as smirks at the Hornets anymore. With the inimitable Chris Paul running the show, New Orleans already elicits plenty of fear around the league; but when you factor in another year of experience for its young roster and the addition of free agent James Posey, the Hornets suddenly seem scarier than a breakfast of week-old gumbo after a night out on Bourbon Street.

Now considering this is the penultimate game on the Rockets’ regular season schedule, it’s certainly possible it might be rendered meaningless by tip-off time. But it’s also just as likely that one of the Western Conference’s top seeds will be decided by the outcome of this contest.

However it plays out, one thing seems certain: This is shaping up to be one of the most highly-anticipated Rockets’ regular seasons in recent memory. October 29th can’t get here fast enough.

For ticket information, visit Ticket Central or call 713-627-DUNK