Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets – Game #8
Stephon Castle could be in line for a bigger role tonight (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs face the Houston Rockets for the third time this season. The Spurs, who have a record of 3-4, and the Rockets, who have a record of 4-3, split their first two games. San Antonio won the first contest by a final score of 109-106 and then Houston won the second battle, 106-101.
The San Antonio Spurs face the Houston Rockets for the third time this season. The Spurs, who have a record of 3-4, and the Rockets, who have a record of 4-3, split their first two games. San Antonio won the first contest by a final score of 109-106 and then Houston won the second battle, 106-101.
The Spurs are coming off of a disheartening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Playing on the road, San Antonio was leading 40-14 after the end of the first quarter before collapsing. The Clippers ended up winning, 113-104. Victor Wembanyama led the way with a near triple-double of 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs got some bad news on the injury front. Jeremy Sochan needs surgery after suffering a broken bone in his left thumb in the game against the Clippers. This is especially bad news for San Antonio because Sochan has been playing the best basketball of his career. In the first seven games of the season, he was averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 51.2% from the floor.
Devin Vassell remains out for the Spurs. Vassell, who hasn’t played yet this season, will reportedly be reevaluated in about a week. He’s recovering from offseason foot surgery.
Tre Jones is the third Spurs player who will miss tonight’s contest against the Rockets. A sprained ankle has kept Jones on the sidelines since the season opener.
San Antonio will also be without head coach Gregg Popovich, who suffered an undisclosed medical issue and has missed the last two games. Mitch Johnson will continue to coach the team while Popovich rests.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
For the first time this season, the Spurs will have a new starting lineup due to Sochan’s thumb injury. Expect Mitch Johnson to go with Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie. Who will be San Antonio’s fifth starter? The most likely candidate is probably rookie Stephon Castle. Against the Clippers, Castle started the second half after Sochan was forced to leave the game in the second quarter.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Rockets
The Rockets are favored by 6.5 points and the over/under is 215 points. These two rivals will probably play another heated affair tonight in Houston. Expect a close ballgame, which means the smart money is on the Spurs.