Rockets plus 4 at Spurs
Kevin Durant’s injury has opened up the gate for San Antonio – and Houston.
The Rockets are in the argument now for best team in the NBA. Houston has won eight of its last 10 games. James Harden has a league-best 49 double-doubles. The Rockets have more firepower on their bench adding Lou Williams to go with Eric Gordon. Those are the two leading scorers in the league among reserves. Unsung big man Clint Capela is healthy again and playing well.
Houston is 2-0 this month crushing a pair of Western Conference contenders – the Clippers with Chris Paul on the road, 122-103, and Grizzlies at home, 123-108, two days ago.
San Antonio has won seven in a row. However, the Spurs’ current form doesn’t match the Rockets. The Spurs’ last three games were a one-point home win against the Pacers, an overtime road victory against the Pelicans and an overtime triumph versus the Timberwolves. San Antonio failed to cover any of those games.
Yes, you can say the Rockets are stepping up going from playing good teams to an elite one. But the Spurs are stepping up even more in class. The Rockets are at least two levels higher than the Pacers, Pelicans and Timberwolves.
The Rockets have covered 21 of their last 31 road games. They are the fresher team coming off two blowout victories. Houston is No. 2 in the NBA in scoring at 115.3 points, nine points more game than what the Spurs average.
San Antonio is 2-1 versus Houston this season. The Spurs’ victories have been by an average of four points with the last occurring on Dec. 20. Houston has improved since then.