In a approach, it sort of feels just like the Spurs have switched locations with their IH-10 Rivals this season. Whereas they’re shut within the standings, it has been two solely totally different seasons for the Spurs and Houston Rockets. Each groups have been on related rebuild schedules, with Rockets being a yr forward, and it culminated in them rising to the second seed within the West final season earlier than they have been upset within the first spherical by the Warriors. They appeared to deal with most depth points within the offseason and add extra star energy with the addition of Kevin Durant, however thus far, it has been a letdown season in no small half as a result of lack of Fred VanVleet.
In the meantime, the Spurs are experiencing the identical rise the Rockets did final season, from play-in-contender who finally missed out the season earlier than, all the way in which as much as the second seed the following (though hopefully the similarities finish there when all is alleged and carried out). Additions like Dylan Harper, Luke Kornet and a wholesome model of De’Aaron Fox has shored up depth points from final season and helped them not solely survive a spate of accidents, however even thrive.
At the moment, the 2 rivals meet up for the primary time since early in November, when the Spurs gained a decent contest that was finally the launching level to them successful their group and making the NBA Cup Finals.
San Antonio Spurs (30-13) at Houston Rockets (25-15)
January 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: NBC/Peacock | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs accidents: Not due till 1 PM.
Rockets Accidents: Steven Adams — out (ankle); Tari Eason — questionable (ankle); Fred VanVleet — out (knee)
No level guard for the Rockets
In a state of affairs the Spurs can relate to from a few seasons in the past, Houston has been taking part in all the season and not using a true level guard after VanVleet suffered a torn ACL in September. Because of this, it has been a point-guard-by-committee strategy, with these duties being break up between gamers like Amen Thomson and Reed Sheppard. The end result has been a backside 10 group within the league in turnovers and an offense that may get stagnant and lean an excessive amount of on Durant at occasions, however that doesn’t imply the Spurs can take them frivolously. They’ve improved an honest quantity in taking good care of the ball within the month of January and nonetheless rank 4th total in offensive web ranking.
Can the Spurs take their newfound offense on the highway?
The Rockets performed a really road-heavy schedule to start out the season, taking part in 23 of their first 36 video games away from house. (I don’t know why; I work simply up the road from the Toyota Middle, and in contrast to the Rodeo for the Spurs, there was nothing of word occurring there.) The commerce off was fewer video games and back-to-backs, however nonetheless exhausting. Regardless, they’ve nonetheless have the second greatest document at house within the West at 14-3 and are at present 3-1 on their present five-game homestand, together with a win over the Timberwolves.
On the identical time, whereas the Spurs are a superb highway group this season at 13-8, Houston has been a type of locations that offers them bother through the years, even throughout their dynasty days. It’s most likely secure to say they rediscovered their offensive type throughout their three-game homestand, and now they need to take it on the highway right into a hostile atmosphere. They confirmed it was no drawback earlier within the season, so hopefully the offense begins touring with them once more.
Even with out Steven Adams, whom the Rockets have performed a lot better with than with out, they’re nonetheless an extended, sturdy group with gamers like Alperen Sengun, Durant and Jabari Smith. The Spurs even have loads of size alongside Wemby, particularly after they go French Vanilla by taking part in him with Kornet. I think about they positively would have damaged it out if Adams was obtainable, however they nonetheless may, particularly if Wemby retains capturing threes at this fee, having hit 16-27 during the last three video games.
For the Rockets followers’ perspective, go to The Dream Shake.
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