If all goes well, the Rockets WILL be added to the playoff picture. The league isn't excited. Let's think at least some fans in Houston will be looking forward to what happens tonight at Toyota Center and of course in L.A. Here it is simple. Beat the dreadful Kings and the team finishes a really disappointing 41-41. But, they get the last spot in the West. Kobe plays his last game ever and the Jazz have to win to get into the postseason but only if the Rockets lose. That is possible. Should it have down to this? Of course not.
Let's go through the old drill of losing games in November. The stock answer from the coaches is always "Well, it's early". However, early losses count. Like the first 3 of the season. Like losing to Brooklyn and Detroit twice. Like losing twice to the Bulls. They lost to the Knicks.and like losing last week at home to the Suns. THE SUNS? Those guys lost a father-son pick up game 2 weeks ago.
You could say if the Rockets won half of the games they should have won against non-playoff teams tonight wouldn't be any kind of deal. So maybe the "fan appreciation" game would be just that instead of "fan-agony" night. But let's not forget the ROCKETS lost to Sacramento early in the season so nothing is firm, or clutch, or choke. Besides, if all goes well, your local team draws Golden St. OK, so the ROCKETS have 4 games left including tonight.