Click here to see the full 2010-2011 schedule.
A few highlights to take away from the Rockets' schedule for this upcoming season:
1. National Television Appearances
The Rockets will make three national TV appearances, beginning with their opener in Los Angeles on TNT on October 26, followed by a trip to Charlotte on November 28 to be broadcast on ESPN2 and concluding in Orlando against the Magic on January 7 on ESPN. Sadly, the Rockets have eight appearances on NBA TV, rendering NBA League Pass accounts useless for those of us who don't have digital cable.
2. Brutal Road Trip
The Rockets don't have too lengthy of a road trip this season, as their longest is only four games. But it's incredibly tough. Beginning on January 27, Houston travels to Dallas, then goes to San Antonio two days later, followed by a back-to-back in LA and Utah starting February 1. If the Rockets manage two wins during that stretch, I'll be happy.
3. Number Of Back-To-Backs
Twenty-one, eight of which consist of back-to-back road games. Keep an eye on @Portland/@Denver January 2-3, as well as the aforementioned Lakers/Jazz stretch. These will be tough wins, for sure.
4. HEAT HEAT
Houston plays Miami at home on December 29. I will be there, somehow. Also, they travel to Miami on March 27.
5. Home Highlights
The Rockets face a difficult first half of the season with plenty of road games, but come February and March, they've got a plethora of home games. Here are a few throughout to keep an eye on:
November 16 vs. Chicago: New-look Bulls come to town.
December 7 vs. Detroit: Tracy McGrady returns to Houston.
January 8 vs. Utah: Time to crank up the "Utah Sucks" chant.
March Homestand: Spurs, Suns, Bobcats, Celtics, Jazz, Warriors head south.
6. Easygoing Western Conference Slate
As Jonathan Feigen points out, the Rockets face some of the powers in the West only three times this year, something that is not to be taken for granted.