Slumping Rockets Look to Hit a Stride Against Spurs
Tonight, the 2nd quarter of the season gets under way as the Rockets take on the Spurs in San Antonio. Houston will try and wipe the slate clean after an ugly start to the season, and attempt to regain the winning form that brought them record-setting success last year. Chris Paul is again questionable to play, along with Gerald Green, and Nene, who has still yet to play a game. James Harden will need some serious help tonight if the Rockets want to get off the schneid. Houston will rely on Eric Gordon again to put up big numbers, as Coach Pop will surely have his game-plan focused mainly on the Beard. The rookies will need to continue to play hard and get better with each game. Gary Clark has cooled off a bit but his tenacity and hustle fits right along with Isaiah Hartenstein’s energy off the bench. In the Spurs previous game, they got eaten alive by the Timberwolves in Minnesota, 128-89, and Coach Pop will unequivocally have the Spurs ready to play hard in front of their home fans to try and get a bounce back win. San Antonio rarely has two bad games in a row, and under Pop, they will be as focused and determined as ever to redeem themselves from their recent 39-point beat-down. Houston, who lost the previous matchup in San Antonio on Nov. 10th, 96-89, will try and avenge that loss and finally get a win for the first time in 9 days. It surely won’t be easy. The usual suspects will be doing damage for the Spurs, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Rockets need their shots to be falling, or things could get ugly, and quick. A great win over a hungry Spurs team could spur some positive momentum to change Houston’s sluggish season. The Rockets need to start winning games before the season gets completely out of hand. The Spurs aren’t gonna hand them this one. The Rockets need to blast their way into the Alamo City and take it. They’re still the best team in Texas. Now’s the time to prove it.
AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
7 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet