Monday’s podcast episode of Locked on Rockets features in-depth reaction to the newly released 2019-20 Houston Rockets schedule.
Highlights include an Oct. 24 regular-season opener loaded with MVPs, as 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook’s regular-season debut in Houston with 2018 MVP James Harden comes against 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The three-game homestand to kick off the season also features Chris Paul’s first return to Houston on Oct. 28, with Westbrook’s former Oklahoma City Thunder squad visiting Toyota Center.
Other marquee contests in the 2019-20 season include home games on Nov. 13 and March 5 against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the new-look Los Angeles Clippers; Jan. 18 versus LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers in a home Saturday night game; and Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) on the road against the five-time defending West champion Golden State Warriors.
Overall, the 2019-20 schedule includes 38 nationally televised games for the Rockets, with five on ABC, 11 on ESPN, 10 on TNT, and 12 on NBA TV. Houston has 11 back-to-back games, down slightly from 12 in the 2018-19 regular season.
Monday’s podcast examines those themes and much more from the brand-new schedule for the upcoming season. Topics include:
- The importance of the national and global spotlight (38 national TV games) on the Rockets this season;
- The best aspects of the 2019-20 schedule, including a soft closing stretch and favorable draw of Western Conference opponents to only play three times;
- The worst parts of the slate, led by a difficult opening homestand followed by six of seven away from home.
Tune in to Locked on Rockets for further analysis:
