[Rockets.com] 10 Games To Keep An Eye On

Nothing earth-shattering, but there's some interesting commentary
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10 Games To Keep An Eye On



With the eve of the 2005-06 NBA season drawing closer upon us, rockets.com decided to sort through to myriad of opponents that will plague the Rockets' schedule this year, and distinguish which teams' visits hold the most significance. So Rockets fans, take out your season schedules and your highlighters, and pay close attention as to which games it would behoove you not to miss this year. Enjoy!

November 2: vs. Sacramento (at 7:30 p.m.) - The Rockets bring in the new season with a matchup against the re-loaded Sacramento Kings. Be on hand as newly acquired forward Stromile Swift makes his Rocket debut. There is nothing more anticipated than the first game of the NBA season! Don't miss out on the illustrious ceremonies of opening night as the Rockets play the first of a three-game homestand.

November 8: vs. Orlando (at 7:30 p.m.) - Former Rockets Steve Francis and Kelvin Cato make their returns to the Toyota Center. Francis nearly had a triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) in last season's outing in Houston, while Cato posted 11 points and six rebounds. Tracy McGrady also sees his old blue colors that he used to wear, meaning you never know if he'll go off for 50 or 60 points. It's really up to him.

November 10: @ Miami (at 7 p.m.; TNT )- Four members of the 2005 NBA All-Star game will be involved in what just might end up being the best matchup of November. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming face off against Shaquille O'Neal, Dwanye Wade, and the re-charged Miami Heat, who pulled the trigger on the biggest trade in NBA history this past offseason. New members donning the Heat's black and red are Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, and former Rocket James Posey.

November 22: @ Dallas (at 7:30 p.m.; NBATV) - The Rockets return to the scene of last season's 116-76 Game 7 loss of the 2005 NBA playoffs. The Rockets have become Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki's worst enemy. Houston's tenacious defense held the All-Star to a horrid 35% shooting performance in last year's playoff series. In what has become a heated rivalry between the Texas teams, the Rockets have caused headaches for the Mavs with the size and strength of Yao Ming inside and Tracy McGrady outside. The Mavericks, too, have posed some intriguing matchup problems for the Rockets with their versatility along their frontline; however, that was B.S. (Before Stromile).

November 23: vs. Phoenix (6:30 p.m.; ESPN) - The Rockets welcome back old friend Jim Jackson, who was traded to New Orleans from Houston last season, and then proceeded to hold out until he got the team he wanted. Jackson will surely be up and ready for this game and will be wanting to show his old team what they're missing. Then again, every other team he wants to show what they're missing as well, so this particular case sort of loses its luster. That doesn't deviate from the fact that the Rockets and Suns are always an entertaining matchup.

January 8: vs. Denver (at 7:30 p.m.; NBATV) - Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets bring their high-scoring ballclub to the Toyota Center. The Nuggets have always had a say in the Rockets' playoff chances, as each of the past two seasons the Rockets have clinched playoff spots in games versus the Nuggets. Houston hopes to take care of business early so that it won't have to come down to the last week of the season this year.

January 18: vs. Dallas (at 7:30 p.m.) - Rockets fans were out their loudest whenever they saw the blue and white of the Maverics last season, especially during the playoffs. Here's another chance to show Dallas who is the undisputed best crowd in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs come into the Toyota Center, where their last meeting here saw Tracy McGrady light them up for 37 points in Game 6 of the playoffs. Now who wouldn't want to see that show?

February 8: vs. LA Lakers (at 7:30 p.m.) - Oddly enough, the Lakers only make one stop to Houston the whole 2005-06 season, so this is the game you want to be at if you want to catch Kobe Bryant and company in person. Phil Jackson is back as coach of the Lake Show, and is there a better perimeter matchup in the league than Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady?

February 12: vs. New York (at 7:30 p.m.)- New Knicks coach Larry Brown brings his no-nonsense, hard-nosed style of basketball to the Toyota Center. The Knicks boast a young, energetic team led by point guard Stephon Marbury. The more compelling matchup will be taking place on the sidelines between two of the most respected coaches in the league, although Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy has only won one out of four meetings against Brown during his Rockets tenure.

March 18: vs. San Antonio (at 7:30 p.m.; NBATV) - Is there anything more appalling to a Rockets fan than the Spurs? Didn't think so. The Spurs make their way down I-10 and this game will prove to be a good test to see if the Rockets are where they want to be as a team. The two teams are built similarly; the only difference is experience. A more cohesive, experienced Rockets team should prove to be a more challenging quest for the Spurs.