NBA schedule 2012: Rockets to face Atlanta, New Orleans this week at home

Eager to bounce back from tough losses to San Antonio and Oklahoma City over the weekend, the Houston Rockets will stay at home to host a pair of games to begin the new week.

The Rockets first will meet the Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening in their final appearance of 2012, as the two franchises will wrap up their two-game regular season series. Along with handing the Hawks a 109-102 loss back on Nov. 2 in just their second game of the season, the Rockets have posted a jaw-dropping 11-2 mark against Eastern Conference opponents so far this year.

In a meeting that offers an ideal chance for a victory, Houston will then welcome the New Orleans Hornets to the Toyota Center on Wednesday night. The Hornets have only mustered a Western Conference-low seven wins so far this season, and were lit up for 30 points by Houston star James Harden in a four-point Rockets win back in mid-November.

Rockets Weekly Schedule

Monday, Dec. 31 - vs. Atlanta Hawks - 6 p.m. CT

Wednesday, Jan. 2 - vs. New Orleans Hornets - 7 p.m. CT