Familiar Foes: Rockets Host Spurs to Close Home-Stand
Act 3. CPD. Texas-Sized Showdown.
Them again. The Rockets close their home-stand as they meet the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in this season’s first eight games. These squads won’t meet again until February 26th, for the final meeting of the season. So far, the clubs split two games in San Antonio. Both matches were close, and featured the Jekyll and Hyde Rockets. Tonight, Houston will try to win wire-to-wire against a Spurs team that simply isn’t as good as these Rockets. San Antonio is 2-2 since these teams last met, and the Spurs are coming off a loss to the Clippers after blowing a 26-point lead. Houston will be without Steven Adams tonight, and that’s not a good sign. The Rockets are 3-0 when Adams plays, and a struggling 1-3 when he’s not on the court. Expect another big outing from Alperen Sengun if the Rockets want to rack up another win tonight. Jalen Green played well in both San Antonio contests against the Spurs, and he’s due for a bounce-back game tonight after a couple of sub-par performances.
Chris Paul played well in previous meeting between these teams, and almost led the Spurs to a comeback win. Houston needs to execute great defense on the Point God, and prevent him form controlling the pace and flow of tonight’s game. San Antonio’s irritant, the Dennis Rodman-wannabe Jeremy Sochan, is out tonight with an injury. Which is good news for the Rockets as Sochan usually plays well against Houston. Expect to see more of the Rockets dynamic bench duo in Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. They’re intensity, energy, and defense are tops on this squad, and their style play is contagious. Houston is simply a much better team when this pair gets more playing time. Without Adams in the lineup, expect Coach Ime Udoka to dish out at least 25 min to his lethal bench duo tonight.
We’re only eight games into a long season, but tonight’s matchup is important for the Rockets tonight. Boasting a record of 4-3, Houston can continue to climb further above .500 with a victory against the Spurs, and it would give the Rockets a 2-1 edge in the season-series. Both games in San Antonio were close, and the Spurs are currently without their Head Coach, Gregg Popovich, due to a health issue. And despite losing their previous game, this young San Antonio squad is motivated to win for their coach, who apparently suffered a “serious” health issue, and there is some level of concern for his well-being. Not much more information has been released, but the Spurs are playing hard for their legendary coach. Expect another close nail-biter between these teams again tonight, as the Rockets try to close this home-stand with a victory.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
San Antonio Spurs (3-4): Black
Houston Rockets (4-3): White
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass