Preseason Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets

It’s San Antonio’s last game at home until the season opener

The Spurs have looked good in two consecutive games but have yet to meet a real contender. Tonight they play their first game against a Western Conference team. The Houston Rockets, no less, who were a few minutes shy of making the NBA Finals.

If you are not heading down to the AT&T Center today then you will be missing out as there appears to be no televised broadcast of this game.

San Antonio Spurs (2-0) vs. Houston Rockets (1-1)

Spurs injuries: Lonnie Walker IV (out 4-6 weeks on torn meniscus)

October 7, 2018 | 4:00 pm CDT

Listen: 1200 AM WOAI

The Spurs

Pop has coached two preseason games and started two very different, but viable line-ups. In both, Dejounte Murray, DeMar DeRozan, and LaMarcus Aldridge have started. That would seem consistent with what was expected this season. But whether Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol should start or come off the bench could be a variable throughout the season.

Notably, Bryn Forbes and Derrick White are seeing more playing time so far. Hopefully, this will fare well for their positions off the bench.

This is most likely our last opportunity to see Nick Johnson. As for the 15th spot and the second two-way, there is still a chance for someone to nab a contract.

Missing from Friday night’s game was Okaro White. Keep an eye out to see if he makes an appearance today.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers in which five of their players scores in double figures. Only eleven players made it onto the court proving that even in preseason Mike D’Antoni likes his core to play the max amount of time. This bodes well for the Spurs as by March his aging stars will be gassed. Put Dejounte on James Harden now just so he can feel what a relentless, energetic twenty-two year old would be like in a seven game series. They may throw in the towel and go all Harden/Paul implosion early this season.

Do the Rockets need to Melo out?

Considering how close the Rockets came to glory last season (which would only have made Houston more full of itself considering the Astros), bringing an overpriced declining star with an ego problem into the fold doesn’t seem like the best use of time and energy. The Rockets signing Melo (along with the Warriors signing DeMarcus Cousins) seems to only make these teams less likable.

The Spurs have ridded themselves of their negative attitudinal player, and they are the better for it. Let’s see if the basketball gods smile on the positive, small market team once again. Preseason will definitely set the tone.

Time for the Good Guys!

Vegas line: N/A

Game prediction: Same as last Easter- SPURS BY 17!

For the Rockets fans’ perspective, visit The Dream Shake.

PtR’s Gamethread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR’s Twitter feed.

Source: Pounding The Rock