Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets

Just two nights removed from their first win of the 2024-25 season, the San Antonio Spurs will host Houston Rockets again Monday evening. It will be the second of a two-game series between the Texas rivals. The Spurs held on for a win in Game 1, 109-106.

Victor Wembanyama dominated the previous outing with 29 points and 7 rebounds. His partner in crime, Jeremy Sochan, had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. They caused problems for Houston on both ends of the floor in the Spurs’ first win of the season. Game two will be about both teams adapting to the other to find a way to win. For Houston, that means stepping up to the glass and finding ways to slow down the Spurs offense. San Antonio will have to deal with Jalen Green and the rest of the Rockets’ offensive attack, which could heat up in an instant.

San Antonio faces a difficult stretch of their schedule ahead and would do well to come out of this two-game series with a sweep. Houston will look to get back to .500 with a win on the road.

October 28, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. CT

See: Bally Southwest | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Devin Vassell – Out (foot), Tre Jones – Out (ankle)

Rocket damage: Steven Adams – Doubtful (Knee), N’Faly Dante – Out (G League), Jack McVeigh – Out (G League), Nate Williams – Out (G League)

What to look out for:

Physicality

These two teams don’t seem to like each other. Expect some physicality from both teams after a dust-up in the first game of this series. Winning the physical battle will be key to taking the match. San Antonio dominated the glass in their last contest. They will need to redeem that advantage again on Monday night.

Stephon Castle’s Minutes and Defense

With Tre Jones likely to miss several games, there is an opportunity for rookie Stephon Castle to grab some minutes. He played 27 minutes Saturday night and made some big defensive plays. Houston even tried to cut off Castle for key ball handlers by using screens late in the game so they could attack the Spurs in isolation. Castle’s defense is an asset and will be needed against a tough Houston perimeter attack.

The pace of the game

Spurs were at their best on Saturday when they stepped up. Relentlessly moving the ball and getting downhill in transition helped open up threes for guys like Julian Champagnie and created easy opportunities in the paint for Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan. The Rockets can fill it up in a hurry with all their shooting. The Spurs will need to play quickly again to build a lead that can withstand a Houston counterattack.