Predicting the outcome of every game remaining on the Rockets' schedule

The Houston Rockets haven't had an easy season.

Not in terms of wins and losses. It's been a good year in that regard. The schedule has been less forgiving. The Rockets have had the most back-to-backs in the NBA this year. The corresponding rash of injuries comes as no surprise.

On the bright side, they don't have very many of those left. In fact, the Rockets have one of the easier remaining schedules in the Western Conference.

Here's a prediction for every game they've got left.

Monday, March 17 vs 76ers - Win

It wouldn't be fair to say it's been a tough year for the Sixers:

It's been downright impossible.

This team has been plagued by injuries. The sole bright spot of the year was rookie Jared McCain's performance, and he got injured too. By now, the Sixers are playing in a desperate bid to preserve their top-6 protected first-round pick.

This should be an easy win for the Rockets.

Wednesday, March 19 vs Magic - Win

The last time these teams met up, it was a rock fight. It's not often that you beat a team with 97 points in 2025, but that's exactly what Houston did in their 97-84 victory. This is a case of two elite defenses with so-so offenses, but the Rockets are the stronger team of the two this season.

Friday, March 21 vs Heat - Win

The Heat spent half of this year deliberating over where to send Jimmy Butler. At times, the Rockets looked like a plausible landing spot, but they sent him to the rival Warriors instead.

More on that later. For now, let's say that Heat have been mediocre at best in 2024-25. This isn't a team the Rockets should struggle with.

Sunday, March 23 vs Nuggets - Loss

Got to lose eventually, right?

Granted, the gulf between these two squads is narrowing. As of this writing, the Rockets and Nuggets share a 43-25 record.

When the margins are this thin, bet on the best player in the game. That's Nikola Jokic by a landslide. As long as Big Honey is available for action, the Nuggets have the advantage in this one.

Tuesday, March 25 vs Hawks - Loss

Really?

Look. I didn't want to strictly pick the odds-on favorite in every contest. The Rockets are likely to fall victim to a "trap game", and this one feels like a trap.

The Hawks are talented. They'll be jockeying for postseason position. Yes, the Rockets will go into this game as the favorites, but they ought to take the Hawks seriously if they want to make good on those odds.

Thursday, March 27 vs Jazz - Win

By contrast, this is no trap game. The Jazz are a free lunch in 2024-25.

That's lucky for the Rockets.

That's what we call foreshadowing in the industry. For now, there's not much to say here. If the Rockets cant beat this version of the Jazz, Vernon Maxwell will have to delete X.

I don't make the rules.

Sunday, March 30 vs Suns - Win

This one means a little more for the Rockets. Whenever they beat the Suns, they improve the odds of their upcoming first round pick in the process.

Last time these clubs met, the Rockets played like they knew it. A 118-109 victory looks closer than that game was. Phoenix are imploding this year, and the Rockets are reaping the benefits.

Monday, March 31 vs Lakers - Loss

The Lakers are volatile. It's hard to make predictions about them. LeBron James is supposed to be healthy by this time, but at 40, who can say? Meanwhile, Luka Doncic has been a candidate to miss any given game in 2024-25.

For now, I'll hedge and say that Houston loses this one. When both of their stars are available, the Lakers have been formidable this year. Rockets fans will want to keep an eye on the injury report leading up to this one.

Tuesday, April 2 vs Jazz - Win

What else is there to say?

The Jazz are not good. This is a team in flux. They're rebuilding, and the Rockets are winning. Er go, the Rockets ought to win.

Again.

Friday, April 4 vs Thunder - Loss

Talk about a contrast.

The Thunder have been the best team in the NBA in 2024-25. If Houston beats them, it's an accomplishment. This late in the season, OKC may be thinking about load management. If so, the Rockets could take advantage of a short-handed squad.

Otherwise, the Thunder are always the favorite in this matchup.

Sunday, April 6 vs Warriors - Win

There are two bold choices in this article. The first was a Rockets loss to Atlanta.

This is the other.

Historically, the Warriors have had the Rockets' number. Call it naive optimism, but this is a different version of the Rockets. They're young, hungry, and will be entering this game with a chip on their shoulder.

Thursday, April 10 vs Clippers - Win

As with some other teams, the Clippers' effectiveness partly relies on their availability. Kawhi Leonard and Norm Powell are both instrumental to their success, and they're both hurt often.

James Harden is the iron man - and he's putting up video game numbers lately. Rockets fans know how that goes. Still, he'll need both his star teammates by his side to vanquish a Rockets team that's been stronger than the Clippers all year.

Saturday, April 12 vs Lakers - Win

By now, the odds of both James and Doncic suiting up feel exceedingly slim. The Lakers will likely be resting one (or both) ahead of a playoff run if they have so much as a scratch.

The Rockets should be in position to take advantage.

Sunday, April 13 vs Nuggets - Loss

Nikola Jokic. Need I say more?

That's 9 wins in 14 games. It would leave the Rockets with 52 wins on the season. That's a more optimistic projection than anyone was willing to make heading into 2024-25.

From a fan's perspective, that's the easiest season to watch in years.