San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets: Prediction,Key Players,Injuries

The San Antonio Spurs take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday night at the AT&T Center.

The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

This is the second matchup of four between the two Western Conference powerhouse teams. The Spurs lost the first matchup on November 6 in Houston 98-81. Cory Joseph led the Spurs with 18 points off the bench.

How will the Spurs fare against the Rockets? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key players to predict the outcome of the game!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are 18-13 overall and 9-5 at home. The Spurs are coming off a 97-90 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Cory Joseph also had 20 points.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are 21-7 overall and 11-2 on the road. The Rockets are coming off an entertaining 117-111 victory in Memphis on Friday. James Harden led the way with 32 points and 10 assists.

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Kawhi Leonard– Kawhi Leonard is out with a bruise on his right hand.

Patty Mills- Patty Mills remains out with a right shoulder injury.

Tony Parker– Tony Parker has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Houston Rockets

Terrence Jones– Terrence Jones is out with a left leg injury.

Alexey Shved– Alexey Shved is out with with an ankle injury.

Players to Watch For Houston Rockets

Josh Smith– The Houston Rockets just claimed Josh Smith this week, after he was surprisingly released by the Detroit Pistons. Smith is a huge addition to a team that should be a contender, despite his inefficiency from the field. Smith is averaging 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

James Harden- James Harden has been playing at an MVP level so far this season. He is averaging 27.2 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds this season.

Dwight Harden- Dwight Howard isn’t the center that he was on the Orlando Magic, but he’s still elite. Howard is averaging 18.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He is coming off a 6 points game, so expect him to have a big game.

Prediction

The Spurs will certainly miss Parker and Leonard, luckily for them the Rockets point guard play (Patrick Beverley) isn’t anything to be concerned about. The Rockets certainly hold the edge with Harden and Trevor Ariza, but the Spurs depth will be the difference in this one.

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