Game 48: Houston Rockets At San Antonio Spurs Preview

The Houston Rockets are winners of three-in-a-row and finally starting to look a cohesive basketball team again!

Who knew that just picking up Josh Smith would transmogrify the whole morale of the team?

These guys look like they’re having fun out there and this is certainly what I like to see!

Let’s just hope this momentum continues as we try to gain a foothold in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Rockets will have the toughest of tests tonight against the Spurs as they were embarrassed on national television after they experienced a 120-90 beat-down Monday night and are looking for redemption.

But the Rockets are capable of beating this team, they did so in a 88-84 win on Christmas Day.

I’m confident that our team will look good tonight and will look even better if Dwight Howard is able to give it a go.

So who’s leading the charge for the Spurs?

More from House of Houston

Kawhi Leonard is the leading scorer (20.0 PPG) and steals king (1.90 SPG). LaMarcus Aldridge is the top board-getter (8.7 RPG). Tony Parker is the assist man (5.0 APG). Tim Duncan is the lead shot-blocker (1.30 BPG).

Let’s talk about what the Spurs do well.

They’re the most defensively-efficient team in the NBA. The Spurs are ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency, allowing just 94.0 points per 100 possessions, almost a full five points above the runner-up Boston Celtics (98.6).

They’re offensively potent. The Spurs are ranked No. 3 in the NBA in offensive efficiency, scoring 108.2 points per 100 possessions.

They’re rebounding beasts. The Spurs are ranked No. 2 in the NBA as far as rebound rate (53.3).

Injuries:

Dwight Howard sprained his left ankle early into last Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. He didn’t return that night and missed the game against the Milwaukee Bucks last Friday. There is a possibility that he’ll be available sometime this week as the Rockets are on the road against the Pels, the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, returning back Saturday for a game against the Washington Wizards, the second game of a back-to-back. My best guess is that he could make a return as early as against the Spurs tonight. But with Dwight, you never know so we’ll just cross our fingers. His status is officially day-to-day and he has been has been upgraded to QUESTIONABLE for tonight.

If you’ve been under a rock lately, Donatas Motiejunas‘ back issues have flared up again. He has planned to sit out until he’s pain-free so no specific timeline has been set. This is such a setback to a guy that’s been working so hard to get back into a rhythm. There was no structural damage to the back itself so he may be back sooner than we think but he may not. We just have to cross our fingers for a speedy recovery.

Sam Dekker had back surgery back in November but the 2015 first-round pick seems to be edging closer to a return. He was seen shooting on the practice court for the first time since heading to the injured list. This is certainly a sign of good things to come.

Tim Duncan has been dealing with soreness in his right knee, causing him to miss a few games. He has been ruled OUT for tonight.

Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com and the San Antonio Spurs.

Next: The Return Of Josh Smith's Rockets

Three Things to Watch:

Patrick Beverley vs. Tony Parker
Trevor Ariza vs. Kawhi Leonard
Clint Capela vs. LaMarcus Aldridge
(Bonus) What will the “Josh Smith Effect” have on the Spurs?

Prediction:

110-107 in a Rockets’ win!

The Rockets are on the road to take on the Spurs at AT&T Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ESPN/ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets!

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