It is even better to look at this SOS by CONFERENCE. Because the East is weak so that means MIL, PHI etc have easy schedules with chitty opponents. And the WC is TOUGH. BUT....in the WC the Rockets have one of the easiest SOS. So that 16 is deceiving.
Some other observations on the schedule..... • Rockets play LAL & Utah 3 times. But on BOTH of them they play 2 of 3 on the ROAD. That is noteworthy. Rockets play OKC 3 times. But only once in OKC. Westbrook gets only 1 game there. Rockets play Utah ALL 3 times in a short span of a month. If injuries, could be important. • Rockets might get 1 game vs LAC without PG. We'll see. Rockets will get at least 2 games vs GSW without Thompson. Might even get 3 if Thompson isn't back until late Feb/March. • Rockets will also play at the LA Lakers on the NBA trade deadline day Feb 6. Possible potential for not having a full roster that day in a very important game. • Looking at the strength of schedule by month, if the Rockets can get off to a fast start and weather the early tough part, they will position themselves well for later in the season when things trail off. • Rockets have the 3rd most national TV games