The Spurs face a very familiar opponent tonight when they host the Rockets for the fourth and final time this regular season. Houston has crawled back from a 2-6 start, thanks in part to home wins against the silver and black, and tonight they'll be trying to overtake us in the hot mess that is the Western Conference standings. San Antonio's got to counter the high-scoring Rockets while building some consistency for the Hornets and Thunder rematches that follow.
The Rockets were a top five offense last year and that's been the key to getting back in the western conference scrum for them. They've scored 100 points or more in five of their last six games as Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola have been finding their shot. Like the Spurs of late, Houston relies on outscoring opponents and doesn't have much of a defensive identity beyond avoiding fouls. The Rockets' comeback hit a snag in their last game, a 120-108 loss to the Timberwolves where they allowed Micheal Beasley to score 34 points on 14 field goal attempts. If we don't get some front-court scoring from Duncan, Blair and Splitter it'll be hard to keep up.
After fumbling the last possession in the overtime loss to Dallas, this Spurs fan was glad to see Matt Bonner have a strong game against the Grizzlies in Memphis. He's no fan favorite, especially when he's in a shooting slump and the team can't break away from the playoff pack, but as long as he hits the threes and makes with the plus-minus magic (5-9 and +21 in Memphis) he's earning the playing time. The allocation of minutes between Duncan, Bonner, Blair and Splitter (and who plays with whom) is a popular debate for Spurs fans so let me just say we need all four to get through the regular season and you can't write off the redhead based on a fifth of the season.
It'll be interesting to see how Pop distributes minutes among the wing players as well. James Anderson played 20 minutes against Dallas and 2 minutes against Memphis, and Gary Neal went from 30 to 15. We'll be looking for the lineup that rallied in Dallas and got to play the entire OT (Neal, Anderson, Green, Bonner and Splitter) and the variant that uses Tony and RJ for Neal and Anderson while Duncan rests. Our bench can be a real strength this season, especially when the three is falling and Blair and Splitter are working the offensive glass. Blair can earn his minutes with offensive rebounds (he's had 8, 3, and 2 vs. Houston) and by avoiding fouls (4, 3, and 2 so far).
With two elite offenses clashing it'll probably come down to shooting accuracy and who can play a modicum of defense to secure the win. Behold, your lineups, relevant statistics and a prediction:
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NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Rockets' perspective can be found here: The Dream Shake.
Game Prediction: They won their two home games, we won our previous home game - I'm hoping that pattern holds and it's something like SPURS BY SIX.
As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.
0 recs | 53 comments
All windmills allowed. All throw downs allowed. All rim hangers allowed. Bring it all.
indiancharlie - February 1, 2012
TWill heard you loud and clear…
grego21 - February 1, 2012
If Houston shoots over 50% from the field im going to break something, even if we win the game.
DEFEND DAMMIT!
Chilai - February 1, 2012
The Rockets always, and I mean always shoot well against us. It’s been that way ever since the Scola debacle. So, prepare for disappointment.
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
Dude, Lowry or Kmart always shoot really well against the Spurs. I’m going to bet that Lowry makes at least one super long distance 3 at the end of a shot clock on a solid defense (for 23 seconds play).
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Go Spurs!!!
I request an encore defensive performance from Kawhi, this time on Kevin Martin…
Spurs Kiwi - February 1, 2012
his 4th game against Martin, I’m guessing he viewed the tapes
TDzilla! - February 1, 2012
Dear lord I hope so… Martin already got fouled!
In the 666 - February 1, 2012 via mobile
why do I feel like we play Houston and the rest of the NBA lately. Oh yeah, because 1/3 of our games have been against Houston.
Calling it now. Tiago time it is tonight!
Spurs Yoda - February 1, 2012
this game will probably start off just like the previous 5 or so houston matchups
Start of 1st Qtr
Luis Scola makes layup
Tim Duncan misses 12 ft shot
Luis Scola makes layup
Richard Jefferson misses 23 ft shot
Luis Scola makes layup
Dejuan Blair misses layup
Luis Scola makes 14 ft shot
i swear the houston games ALWAYS start with something like that, spurs need defense bad
Starscream210 - February 1, 2012 via mobile
haha that is so true. then we do that rally thing and get up by 5 or 6 (from green gary or tiago usually) and then we take our foot off the gas pedal at the end of the 2nd so they can tie us or get ahead.
whether we win or not usually depends if we have our drought at the beginning of the 3rd the end of the 3rd or the end of the 4th.
beginning of 3rd=50/50
end of 3rd=usually spurs win
end of 4th=spurs lose
seanthemonster - February 1, 2012
I see the Red Rocket going off tonight, the guy is to three pointers what Blake is to slam dunks.
Outkastprince - February 1, 2012
who is
Red Pocket?
galicae - February 1, 2012
que?
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
A waddle with lipstick.
indiancharlie - February 1, 2012
You are Red Pocket.
MikeyKosa - February 1, 2012
Going to the game tonight! So far, the Spurs are 3-0 when I go to the games so I’m hoping the trend continues. Go Spurs Go!
Marky G - February 1, 2012
SPUUUUURS TONIIIIIGHT!!!…
In the 666 - February 1, 2012 via mobile
Ed (dfjmed) - February 1, 2012
The Nets are worse then he is. Good match making.
Spurs Yoda - February 1, 2012
Their rookie guard/forward, Brooks also is out with a broken foot.
grego21 - February 1, 2012
I love Scola’s game. I (no doubt along with thousands of others) was looking forward to
him reuniting with Ginobili on the Spurs when he was playing in Europe. A combination of
anger and disappointment resulted when our FO dealt him to a division rival no less. He
would have been an ideal fit, a tough defender and rebounder who can score, very durable, someone who competes every night, and a solid citizen as well.
mercer - February 1, 2012
NO. Scola’s scoring would be welcome on the team, and he’s a lot of things, but “tough defender” is not one of those things. I would take him in a heartbeat, but we would need to “hide” him defensively, similar to Bonner.
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
He’s not rebounding well either. He seems really tired. Of course that’s not going to matter tonight and he’ll just have a great game against the Spurs, like always.
Edg5 - February 1, 2012
Spurs bigs don’t matchup well with him, aside from Splitter. Duncan isn’t laterally quick enough these days, and heck Scola, isn’t that quick. Blair is going to get caught reaching at least once or twice and will pick up a stupid foul or two from doing that.
Bonner, well, he’ll move his feet, but that’s about it…
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Tim, I think you do Scola a serious disservice when you compare his defense to Bonner.
Any defensive shortcomings Scola has are largely compensated for by his tenacity, a
trait that is totally absent in Bonner.
mercer - February 1, 2012
He’s a better rebounder than Bonner, and he doesn’t look as awkward, but his attempts at man defense are just as unsuccessful. He’s also a better help defender than Bonner, but that doesn’t matter much when those guys are the ones that need the help.
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
The bottom line is that I wouldn’t trade Scola for 10 Bonners. Maybe it’s my frustration that
I’ve watched Bonner hold a position for over 5 years that should have been manned by Scola.
Had Scola been here, it would have translated into more success for the Spurs, perhaps even
another title. Of course, it’s all just meaningless speculation now.
mercer - February 1, 2012
There’s also the money to consider – we would have gotten Scola for cheap at first but he’d eventually get a real contract from us, making it harder to rebuild and afford players like Tiago.
greyberger - February 1, 2012
Not cheap enough. They wanted to pay him Oberto dollars. So no dice….
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Ed (dfjmed) - February 1, 2012
I just want him to go anywhere, so we can hear the end of it.
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
Houston would have to toss in at least one other player like Terrence Williams to match salaries. If that were the case, it would seem like New Orleans would wind up with around $10M committed salaries for next season despite reducing $4M from their payroll. They might be out of a luxury tax, but not be able to bid for any free agents.
They might as well just waive Kaman for the rest of the season and let him get picked up by the Spurs off the waiver wire. I can’t see why they’d want to add players (particularly Thabeet) to their roster.
Alamo - February 1, 2012
If I’m Dell Demps, I try to collect as many draft picks as possible. And I’d at least try for Dragic.
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
Man, NO could have a super bright future. Houston is stocked with the youngins. And if they can keep Eric Gordon… wow.
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Though who would give draft picks for Kaman’s expiring contract? They could trade for only draft picks if a team is $10M or so under the cap, Otherwise a team will have to trade away players with $10M or so of salary to match. Unless Houston were willing to say that they’d give up a first round pick if NO would take Thabeet’s contract over, it will be difficult for them to come up with a deal that meets the type of expectations that Stern has placed upon their deals.
Alamo - February 1, 2012
Going to this game!!!!! Can’t wait to see my Silver and Black play in the AT&T Center :D I’m not techno-geeked out like some of y’all, so I won’t be able to join the game thread, but I hope to share some of my (and Heartrunn3r’s) experiences and observations from the night as soon as I get back to Oklahoma.
Fuck it, Spurs by 110!!!
GO SPURS GO
Trey Felder - February 1, 2012
Awesome! Have fun…both at the game and while not being in Oklahoma.
Big50 - February 1, 2012
DEFINITELY enjoying the latter, Five-oh :D
Trey Felder - February 1, 2012
Ha! Awesome.
Tim C. - February 1, 2012
+1
Ayatollah - February 1, 2012
Ayatollah - February 1, 2012
Hmmm…. first I’ve heard anything said about him. I can see him going back to Portland.
grego21 - February 1, 2012
I think Miami’s on his list, too. Go figure…
Ed (dfjmed) - February 1, 2012
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2ffeatures%2frumors
Ed (dfjmed) - February 1, 2012
Good luck gentlemen! May this be a glorious day, filled with many baskets and fun times. Always fun to chat with you guys.
The Chuckwagon has rolled on - February 1, 2012
Thanks Chuckster…ya’ll too.
indiancharlie - February 1, 2012
Former Spur Blake Ahearn has become the D-League’s all-time leading scorer, and is in a string of 106 consecutive free throws made. He plays PG for Reno. It would seem he would be a nice pickup with some experience to play PG while Cory Joseph gets some experience with the Toros.
Alamo - February 1, 2012
Hello guys, I have but one question for y'all
How is Luke Bonner still in the D-League? I know the Spurs don’t want to be acting like they’re doing Matt Bonner any favors, but that guy is a monster. I think I saw him hit a three pointer once.
Patrick Harrel - February 1, 2012
he’s developing his sammich making skills… “open faced”
In the 666 - February 1, 2012
It would be unfair for the rest of the league if we had both Bonners in our team.
Edg5 - February 1, 2012
It’s why we had a lockout.
greyberger - February 2, 2012
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