Preseason: Houston Rockets Ward Off Spurs 96-87

We beat the defending champs!

Yes!

I know, I know — it’s only the preseason but the Houston Rockets maintained their poise and were in control for the majority of the game.

A lot of the San Antonio Spurs top dogs were sitting on the bench as players who were trying to make the team had the opportunity to show their stuff. Kawhi Leonard didn’t even play.

But you know what?

So did the Rockets.

Dwight Howard did not dress last night and a lot of the starting five had limited minutes.

But I like what I see so far out of this team — they’ve cruised through the preseason, completing it with a 6-2 record.

Their shooting performance was incredible — they were 42 percent from the field and made 43 percent of their three-pointers!

With the Rockets having some of the most prolific and potent offenses, it’s evident more than ever that when their shots are falling, they’re usually going to win the game.

Even if the defense is bad…

The Rockets didn’t really have to play much — the Spurs were lackluster with their shooting, completing 41 percent of their field goal and only 31 percent of their three-point treys.

I tell you what — Isaiah Canaan has earned the position of the backup point guard for the Rockets.

He has a fire in his belly that I don’t think the most professional of firefighters could put out!

He was absolutely sensational last night and pivotal in the Rockets taking the lead early in and staving the Spurs down the stretch toward the end of the game.

Oct 24, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard

Patrick Beverley

(2) celebrates after scoring during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The game remained close throughout the first quarter and then the team started to pull away with about 8:17 left in the first half with a Patrick Beverley three-pointer.

Beverley and Canaan took turns building up an eventual 7-0 run until Tony Parker scored a bucket with 6:52 left in the half.

Then Terrence Jones answered with thunderous put back dunk that rattled those below putting the Rockets up 36-29.

Kostas Papanikolaou got going with three along Trevor Ariza helping the team go another lengthy 13-3 run for the final six minutes of the half. The Rockets lead the Spurs 49-32.

At the start of the third quarter, the Rockets continued to maintain control with their lead of the Spurs going as high as 18 points as James Harden was on fire, drilling multiple three-pointers to keep the Rockets on top.

Oct 24, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) attempts to shoot the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard

Danny Green

(14) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs started to chip away at the Rockets lead as the team cooled off slightly to get a little closer in the 4th quarter. With 6:31 left, Danny Green nailed a three-pointer, cutting the Rockets’ lead to nine. Rockets up 81-72.

After a pair of buckets by Aron Baynes and Kyle Anderson, the Rockets found themselves up by only five points with 4:54 left to go. Rockets up 81-76.

But Canaan wasn’t having it…

He hit another three putting the Rockets back up by seven.

Baynes answered again with another bucket and after two good Tony Parker free throws off a Donatas Motiejunas foul, the Spurs had cut the Rockets lead to four. Rockets up 84-80.

Papanikolaou answered with an amazing reverse layup putting their lead back up to six.

Oct 24, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) scores during the fourth quarter as Houston Rockets guard

Isaiah Canaan

(0) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Tons of fouls were committed and both teams found themselves at the charity stripe frequently toward the end. The Spurs were able to get within two by being able to draw some fouls off the Rockets after Austin Daye made a pivotal three-point shot with 1:50 left. Rockets up 89-87.

The final two minutes should be dubbed “The Isaiah Canaan Show” as he hammered two daggers — one three-pointer with 1:38 left and the final blow dealt with 24 seconds left putting the Rockets up for good 96-87.

Canaan finished with 18 points — shooting 6-for-10 from the field, 5-for-6 for threes and chipped in five rebounds and two dimes in only 20 minutes of action.

Highly productive if I say so myself.