With a slim lead in the 2022 NBA draft race, the Houston Rockets begin the soft portion of their closing schedule to the 2021-22 season with a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday nights at injury-riddled Portland.
Houston’s next five games are against Portland (twice), San Antonio, and Sacramento (twice). The last three will be back home, at Toyota Center. Those three teams rank from No. 11 through No. 13 in the Western Conference, and all are at least 16 games below .500.
Thus, the outlook likely depends on your perspective. To some, it’s a chance for the young and rebuilding Rockets to gain some momentum with additional wins as they look to build for the future. To others, it could be seen as an opportunity to squander the type of elite draft talent that may be required to ultimately lift Houston to a contending level.
As for the present, not only is it a road back-to-back, but it’s also the conclusion of a rough stretch with five games in seven nights for the Rockets. Thus, expect Stephen Silas to be conservative with minutes and veterans such as Eric Gordon, who is likely to sit out one of those games.
By comparison, however, Portland’s roster situation is more dire.
One of the more memorable #Tankathon lottery race updates in a while! Whew!
I am enjoying this now….knowing that the #Rockets next 2 games are against a G-League Blazers team. Uh oh. https://t.co/dbuWKdzuBH
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 24, 2022
