San Antonio vs. Houston, Final Score: Rockets hold on for a 106-101 victory over Spurs

Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

In a mirror image replay of Sunday’s game the Spurs comeback falls just short

The Spurs kind of snuck up on a tired Rockets team on the second night of a back-to-back on Sunday night and built up an insurmountable lead in the first half that the Rockets almost overcame by playing harder and tougher in the second half, eventually falling short as the Spurs held on for a 109-106 win. Tonight, the Rockets didn’t wait for the second half to start pressing the issue, and they dominated the flat Silver and Black for a 17 point halftime lead.

Tonight’s game was almost a mirror image, as the Spurs were the tougher team in the second half, and took over in the final quarter as their bench plus Victor took over the game. They couldn’t quite take the lead as the Rockets hit key shots to blunt the comeback. The Spurs almost pulled off a miracle with a six point possession in the final minute, but Van Vleet hit a clutch three-point bucket to close it out as the Rockets held on for a 106-101 win.

Observations

Fanduel has taken over the local broadcasts from Bally and the studio and graphics look a lot better. I guess they’re not quite as broke as Bally, who was constantly on the verge of bankruptcy.
The Rockets were a little sluggish to start the game on Sunday, but tonight they were sharp to start and surged out to an early 14-3 lead. The Spurs reserves came and stabilized things a bit, with things getting a little chippy with a double tech between Sochan and Jabari Smith Jr. that ended up in the dreaded double technical foul.
Collins is finding a place as an enforcer off the bench. He’s not the most skilled player, but he makes a difference when he’s playing hard.
Wemby’s ability to erase shots when he looks like he’s completely out of the play is unreal. He didn’t have a great offensive game tonight, but he was impressive in every other way as he filled the stat sheet.
The Houston defense dominated the first quarter as they led 29-15 at the break.
It seems like a long time ago that Steven Adams was good.
Jalen Green went nuclear in the first half with 24 points, as the Rockets led 62-45 at the half.
The Spurs defense wasn’t terrible, but the Rockets crashed the offensive boards and took advantage of the wide open shot on second and third opportunities.
I think this team misses Tre Jones coming off the bench.
Sochan took a hint from Olivia Newton-John and got physical as the second half started. We could hear his body talk as he took the ball to the basket and shoved it into the hoop.
Dillon Brooks is a goon, but he’s also a good basketball player. I want to hate him, but you have to respect his game.
In a sequence that epitomized the Spurs struggles in the game, they had a possession with five shots in the third quarter and missed all of them.
The Spurs looked dead halfway through the third but finished with a flurry as they trailed 87-75 with 12 minutes to play, led by their bench.
Stephon Castle is so impressive for a player in his third pro game.
Don’t give up on Malaki Branham.
Champagnie sat for defensive reasons for most of the fourth quarter on Sunday, but Pop kept him in the lineup tonight and he responded with some nice defensive plays.
The Spurs kept it close in the fourth but the game looked over when the Rockets took an 8 point lead with less than a minute left, but some Chris Paul magic four point play led to a six point possession when he drew a flagrant foul on Tari Eason and Wemby hit the midrange. Van Vleet hit a clutch three point shot and the magic died as the Rockets won 106-101.