Happy New Year Houston Rockets fans!
Yes, it’s time for the Rockets to take on their first opponent for 2016 and that would be the San Antonio Spurs.
It was an exciting, gritty match up the last time these two teams faced each other back Christmas night.
The Rockets were amazingly able to eke out a nice 88-84 win over the Spurs in, by far, their best defensive performance of the season.
But the Rockets have meandered their way back into the horrible tendencies to lapse in their intensity as far as their defense so I hope they’ll turn it around tonight.
We certainly saw that in Thursday night’s New Year’s Eve match up against the Golden State Warriors where playing defense was an option for guys like the Beard.
But as always, this will be a fun match up for both teams as they spar off with one another — this time on the Spurs’ turf.
So who’s leading the charge for the Spurs?
Kawhi Leonardis the team’s leading scorer (20.8 PPG) and chief of steals (2.00 SPG).LaMarcus Aldridgeis the top board-getter (8.8 RPG),Tony Parkeris in charge of the dimes (5.1 APG) andTim Duncanis still the team’s reigning shot-blocker (1.40 BPG).
More fromHouse of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
Let’s talk about what the Spurs do well.
There’s a lot that this team does well and that’s why they’ll continue to be favorites for the NBA Championship this year.
But what do they do?
They’re extremely well-balanced.The Spurs are the No. 1 team in the NBA as far as defensive efficiency, allowing a stingy92.5points per100possessions. The No. 2 team, the Boston Celtics is at97.8 per 100, over a full five points less. They’re also 3rd in the league as far as offensive efficiency, scoring106.8points per100possessions. Nobody seems to do it better than the Spurs which should be no surprise.
They’re excellent at moving the ball around.The Spurs are 2nd in the league as far as assist ratio with an incredible19.3percent of their possessions ending with an assist.
Injuries:
Sam Dekkerhadback surgeryand is expected to miss about a couple more months.
There are no injuries to report for the San Antonio Spurs.
Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle
Next: 2015's Best Houston Sporting Moments
Three Things to Watch:
- Trevor ArizaVs.Kawhi Leonard
- Patrick Beverleyvs.Tony Parker
- Clint Capelavs. LaMarcus Aldridge
- (Bonus)Dwight Howardvs.Tim Duncan
Prediction:
110-102in aRockets’loss.
The Rockets hit the road to take on theSpursatAT&T Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for7:30 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised onROOT Sports Southwest/NBA TVand broadcast onSportsTalk 790 AM (KBME)andLa Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations