Rockets announce 2011-2012 schedule

Posted: July 19, 2011 -- 2:20pm CDT.

The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules of ABC, TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, and NBA on ESPN Radio for the 2011-12 season, in the event that the NBA is able to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with the NBPA in a timely fashion.

The Houston Rockets tip off the 2011-12 regular season at Utah on November 1. 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 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. For the first time in team history, Rockets home games will begin at 7:00 p.m. for weekday games and 6:00 p.m. for weekend contests.

The reigning NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks visit Toyota Center on November 23 and March 24. The Rockets play their other in-state rival, the San Antonio Spurs, on November 26 and January 21.

The Los Angeles Lakers make two visits to Houston: December 6 and March 20.

For the 10th consecutive season, the Rockets will host a game on New Year's Eve. This season the Rockets will face the Portland Trail Blazers at 7pm on December 31.

The New York Knicks and Miami Heat make their lone visits to Houston on January 28 and January 30, respectively. The Rockets will then host a seven-game homestand, which opens on February 15 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder and will see the Boston Celtics in Houston on February 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 (record: 7-1 from 1/16/82-2/5/82).

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 April 16.

Overall, the Rockets play 22 sets of back-to-back games, which includes consecutive home games on January 13-14 and again on January 27-28. The last time the Rockets played back-to-back games at Toyota Center was February 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 February 4-11 and March 6-12.

The Rockets close out the 2011-2012 regular season with a road game versus the Mavericks on April 18.

Here's the complete '11-'12 schedule via Rockets.com.

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