It's a barometer game for them, despite how good their season has been. Even the Rockets players and McHale have been talking about this game.
Which I think it's good news for the Spurs. If we manage to whoop that ass like we did against GSW and OKC, I think it could easily mess with their heads.
I was reading OKC went on this downward spiral they're on after we handed them that 40 point loss a couple weeks ago. Then GSW lost to the Pelicans after we drubbed them. The effects on a team's confidence after those kind of beatdowns can't be underestimated, unless you're the Blazers, who just start ting on their own pants when the playoffs are getting near. Unlike the Spurs, these teams are constantly trying to prove themselves, because they've not reached the pinnacle yet.
For the Spurs, this is a good test for our depth, seeing we will be shorthanded again.