Spurs Aim for Growth, Rockets Look to Build Momentum
San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets: Spurs Eyeing Growth, Rockets Building Momentum
A highly anticipated Texas showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets is set for Wednesday night, with both teams seeking to establish their identity early in the 2024-25 NBA season. This is the third meeting between the two teams already, with each squad claiming one victory in the first two matchups in late October. The Spurs look to bounce back from a tough road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (113-104), while the Rockets come off a solid 109-97 win over the New York Knicks. Both teams are hungry for consistency and a chance to make a move in the highly competitive Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs Looking to Build on Early Growth
At 3-4, the San Antonio Spurs are mirroring their record from last season, but they are determined not to repeat history. After their 3-4 start last year, the Spurs lost 16 consecutive games, sending them plummeting to the bottom of the standings. However, with a revamped roster and the continued development of their promising young star Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio has hope for a better trajectory.
In their last outing, Wembanyama put up 24 points and 13 rebounds in a nine-point loss to the Clippers. Despite a solid individual performance from the 20-year-old, the Spurs couldn’t quite find their rhythm. Wembanyama leads the team with 18.9 points per game, which ranks him 45th in the league, but his versatility, including his 10.3 rebounds per game, remains an impressive aspect of his game.
Alongside Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan has made an impact, averaging 15.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The 22-year-old is emerging as a strong defender who can guard multiple positions, complementing the Spurs’ defense-first mentality. Veteran Chris Paul has been facilitating the offense, contributing 12.0 points and 8.9 assists per game, while also helping to space the floor with 2.3 three-pointers made per contest. Keldon Johnson has been a key contributor off the bench, adding 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Despite their promising pieces, the Spurs have struggled with consistency on offense. They rank 28th in the league in three-pointers made (11.1 per game) and 24th in three-point defense (allowing 14.4 per game). San Antonio’s slow pace, ranked 29th in possessions per game, is a factor in their offense, as they rely on the ball control of Paul and the inside presence of Wembanyama.
Houston Rockets Gaining Momentum, Winning Three of Four
The Houston Rockets have shown significant improvement this season, winning three of their last four games, including victories over playoff teams from the previous season, such as the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks. After a 4-3 start, the Rockets are looking to build momentum and make a push for the playoffs in the deep Western Conference.
Their latest victory, a 109-97 triumph over the Knicks, saw standout performances from center Alperen Şengün, who posted a season-high 25 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 11-of-15 from the field. The 22-year-old Turkish big man has emerged as one of Houston’s primary building blocks, averaging 16.4 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
Jalen Green, the Rockets’ top scorer, has been a major bright spot this season, averaging 22.9 points per game, and has shown significant improvement in his outside shooting, making 3.6 three-pointers per game at a 37.3% clip. Green’s perimeter shooting is key to the Rockets’ offensive flow, and he will be essential in this matchup against the Spurs.
Fred VanVleet, the Rockets’ steady point guard, has added 13.3 points and 5.6 assists per game, acting as the team’s floor general. Jabari Smith Jr., a highly-touted prospect from the 2022 draft, has yet to fully blossom but continues to contribute solidly, averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensively, the Rockets have excelled at limiting three-point attempts, allowing just 11.3 three-pointers per game, ranking 4th in the league in this category. They have also maintained a steady presence on the boards, ranking 13th in total rebounds per game. However, they need to improve their shooting consistency, as they rank 21st in field goal percentage (44.8%) and 16th in three-point shooting (34.4%).
Conclusion
This Texas-sized clash between the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams on different trajectories. The Spurs hope to build on their young talent, led by Wembanyama, while the Rockets aim to prove that their recent successes are not just flashes in the pan.
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