A break from your bracket

I have, like many of you out there, have already been slaving over my bracket, analyzing — over-analyzing maybe — the upsets, the favourites and the locations of games. How about a quick break?

So, where will the Rockets incredible winning streak end? Hell, I thought they'd be through playing the Lakers on the weekend, but with Gasol hobbled, they weren't facing that team at their peak.

Their next test comes tonight, at home to the mightiest team in the East, the Boston Celtics. Can they win and keep their roll going? I think so for one reason. Tonight is Boston's second night in a row facing one of the top teams in the league. Last night they had to take on the defending champion Spurs which is never an easy game. They did win but it took some late heroics; how will that translate into tonight's game?

Next up is the Hornets tomorrow night. If the Celtics don't end the streak tonight, Chris Paul will end it in New Orleans tomorrow. Playing their second game in two nights and being on the road is not going to help Houston. The pressure of the streak will only be magnified by those two factors.

If the Rockets can slip by those two tough games intact, Friday night isn't going to be any easier. Playing against the Warriors in Oakland is always tough and with the season winding down, their fans will be even more ravenous.

After that are the Suns on Saturday before finally getting a break by playing the Kings back in Houston next Monday.

It's going to be really tough for T-Mac, Rafer and company to last until that easy Kings game.