Rockets vs. Spurs Pre-Game 12/11/23

Rockets Aim for Third Straight Win, Host Reeling Spurs

Texas Payback.    History-Making.    No Easing Up.

After finally getting their first road win of the season, the Rockets return home to host the reeling San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. Houston’s seeking their third straight win tonight, after beating OKC at home and Denver on the road in their previous two games. Monday’s matchup is the only time (besides the November 22 game versus Memphis) that the Rockets have been favored in a game all season. And tonight is only the third bad team they’ve played all season (with the others being the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets). The Spurs won the first matchup between these Texas foes in San Antonio’s home opener in the second game of the season. Since that matchup, these in-state rivals have been heading in opposite directions.

The Rockets recently weathered one of the most difficult schedule stretches in NBA history. It’s a marvel Houston has a 10-9 record despite the brutal group of opponents they’ve played over their first 19 games. Coming off a victory in Denver, the Rockets won the season-series against the defending champion Nuggets. It marks the first time any team has beaten Denver three times in a season since the 2021/2022 campaign. On the other side, the Spurs have lost a franchise-tying record 16 straight games after getting off to a 3-2 start. Miraculously, that isn’t even the longest losing streak in the league at the moment. The Detroit Pistons are mired in a 19-game losing streak,  sneakily approaching the NBA-record 28 game skid by the Philadelphia 76ers that stretched from the end of the 2016 season into start of the 2017 campaign.

Houston can become part of history tonight if they can deal the Spurs a 17th straight loss, which would mark the longest skid in San Antonio’s acclaimed history. The Rockets are also getting some extra help with the return of Amen Thompson to the lineup. The rookie suffered an ankle early early in the season, but is prepped to finally make his return to the lineup tonight. Thompson will likely come off the bench, and it will be intriguing to see how Houston’s rotation shifts with the rookie back in the lineup. Victor Wembanyama’s off to a solid start to his rookie season. However, the Rockets already got a look at the front-runner for Rookie-of-the-Year, in Chet Holmgren, when they beat the Thunder two games ago, and shut him down in the process. They’ll look to exert their physicality to bother Wemby tonight. The phenom had one of his better games in the first matchup, finishing with 21 points and 12 boards, resulting in a heartbreaking overtime loss for Houston.

Thankfully, the Rockets look like a completely different team since that second game of the season. The squad now returns home for a stretch featuring some very winnable games. It’s the first time seemingly in weeks that Houston isn’t facing a playoff team or championship contender. Regardless, the Rockets can’t afford to ease up, and play soft just because the challenge on the court may not be as difficult. It was one of Houston’s worst trends over the past three seasons under coach Stephen Silas. However, unlike Silas, current head coach Ime Udoka has shown he won’t let these players slide. This Rockets team is a completely different group defensively compared to teams of the Silas era. Houston should be able to get the win tonight, although the Spurs are a desperate team, and they won’t keep losing forever. Gregg Popovich has too much pride, and is one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Expect a closer contest than expected tonight between these Texas rivals. The Rockets have enough firepower to beat the Spurs, and are hungry for some payback for that loss back in October to San Antonio. Houston is also gunning for their tenth straight home win of the season. The Rockets haven’t lost at Toyota Center since their home opener, back on October 29th. The squad will look to extend both streaks tonight, as they battle Wemby and the Spurs for the second time this season. San Antonio’s streak will eventually end… just hopefully not tonight in Houston.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

San Antonio Spurs (3-18):  Black

Houston Rockets (10-9):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass