The Houston Rockets tip off the 2011-12 regular season at Utah on Nov. 1, which was announced today by the NBA as part of the 2011-12 league schedule.
The Rockets make another stop in Sacramento to battle the Kings on Nov. 2 before returning to Toyota Center to open the 2011-12 home slate by hosting the Jazz at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.
For the first time in team history, Rockets home games will begin at 7 p.m. for weekday games.
"In an effort to accommodate the wishes of the vast majority of our season ticket holders, as well as monitoring the trends from around the league, we have decided to move our start times up to 7:00 p.m."
, said Rockets Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown. "We will continue working with our fans to find ways to improve their experience at Rockets games and Toyota Center events."
This season’s home lineup also features a pair of visits by both L.A. teams, with the Clippers coming to town on Nov. 15 and Mar. 4 and the Lakers hitting Houston on Dec. 6 and Mar. 20. The reigning NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks visit Toyota Center on Nov. 23 and Mar. 24. The Rockets hit the home hardwood against their division-rival San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 26 and Jan. 21. Houston will help usher in the New Year for a 10th straight season at Toyota Center with a 6 p.m. start on Dec. 31 against the Portland Trail Blazers. The New York Knicks and Miami Heat make their lone visits to the Bayou City on Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, respectively.
Houston will then host a seven-game homestand, which opens on Feb. 15 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and will see the Boston Celtics in Houston on Feb. 19.
It will mark the first time Houston has hosted seven or more consecutive home games since an eight-game homestand back in 1981-82.
The Rockets also meet up with the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center on Apr. 11 and close out the home portion of the schedule against the New Orleans Hornets on Apr. 16.
Other highlights on Houston’s 2011-12 schedule include commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a 1 p.m. outing against the Bobcats at Charlotte on Monday, Jan. 16, as well as closing out the 2011-12 campaign on Apr. 18 at Dallas.
Overall, Houston plays 22 sets of back-to-back games, which includes consecutive home games on Jan. 13-14 and again on Jan. 27-28. The last time the Rockets played back-to-back games at Toyota Center was Feb. 11-12, 2006, winning 102-88 vs. Utah and following up with a 90-83 victory vs. New York. The team’s longest period away from home will be a pair five-game road trips from Feb. 4-11 and Mar. 6-12.
