Rockets at Spurs
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs finally managed to kick their road blues. Just in time to return home. The Spurs avoided a three-game road sweep when they won the finale of their trip 83-73 at Memphis on Monday. They now get three straight at home before the true test – the annual nine-game rodeo road trip beginning Feb. 6. San Antonio has seen several of its younger players step up recently. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Gary Neal have each led the team offensively for stretches and appear to have gained the trust of coach Gregg Popovich. Everybody on the roster should have plenty of chances to score Wednesday when the Spurs host the Houston Rockets. The Rockets surged above .500 with a 9-2 stretch but spent most of that time outscoring opponents instead of getting stops. That seemed to be changing in back-to-back wins over the weekend, but Houston suffered a letdown defensively in a 120-108 setback Monday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSH (Houston), FSSW (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (12-9): Houston outlasted San Antonio 105-102 on Jan. 21 and ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring at 98.7 points. The other end is not as sharp, with the Rockets sitting 23rd in points allowed at 97.0. In wins over the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks on Friday and Saturday, the Rockets allowed an average of 80 points. But against their old coach, Rick Adelman, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston suddenly was blown up for 42 points in the third quarter alone.
ABOUT THE SPURS (13-9): San Antonio has lost to the Rockets twice already this season – both times in Houston – but did manage to squeeze out the one meeting at the AT&T Center. The Spurs are 10-1 at home and have held teams to an average of 89.5 points in their building. After watching his reserves mount a comeback on Sunday, Popovich went to his bench early and often again on Monday and was rewarded with double-digit efforts from Matt Bonner and Green in the win over Memphis.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Leonard recorded his second career double-double on Monday.
2. San Antonio has taken the last four meetings at the AT&T Center.
3. Rockets G Kevin Martin returned from a two-game absence on Monday and scored 29 points.