Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) secures a rebound against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets Schedule: Houston Faces One of NBA's Toughest Slates in February

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rockets
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated 2/3/24

The Houston Rockets begin their February schedule Friday night in a 135-106 victory over the Toronto Raptors inside the Toyota Center. They were led by rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, who scored career highs, respectively.

However, the schedule doesn't get easier for the Rockets throughout the month. Houston faces the fourth-toughest schedule of any team in February, according to the NBA.

Following their victory over Toronto, the Rockets embark on a four-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Raptors and Atlanta Hawks. The Rockets are just 5-16 on the road this season, so those fortunes will have to shift if they want to keep pace in the Western Conference.

The team then returns home on Monday, Feb. 12 to play the New York Knicks, arguably the hottest team in the NBA, before finishing the first half of the season on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies.

After the All-Star Break, the Rockets face a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns before a home-and-home series against the No. 2-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The month rounds out with another game against the Suns, the first of two games in Phoenix that ends on Mar. 2.

Eight games the Rockets play this month come against teams with a record better than .500, which means Houston will have to prove that they belong if they want to stay in the playoff race come March and April.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rockets and was syndicated with permission.

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