Preview: Spurs at Rockets – Preseason Game #5

Tre Jones will likely start tonight at point guard (Photo via X)

The San Antonio Spurs will play their fifth and final preseason game tonight on the road against the Houston Rockets. The Spurs have a record of 2-2 in the preseason. In their latest game, they lost 120-117 in Miami against the Heat. Jeremy Sochan led the way for San Antonio with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

This will be the fourth and final preseason contest for the Rockets. After losing their opener in exhibition play, they’ve won two straight games. Their latest victory was a 118-98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

San Antonio Spurs Injury Update

Head coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t want any injuries leading into the regular season. To help achieve that goal, in this final preseason game, he has decided to sit most of his main guns. Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan will be on the sidelines tonight. Devin Vassell, who is expected to miss the rest of the month following offseason foot surgery, is also out.

When the regular season begins on Oct. 24 in Dallas against the Mavericks, it’s safe to assume that Wembanyama, Paul, Johnson and Sochan will be ready to play. The Spurs have five regular season games in October — so Vassell will likely miss at least a handful of real games.

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup

Only two regular starters remain on the active list for the Spurs: Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes. Expect both Champagnie and Barnes to start against the Rockets. Joining those two in the starting five will likely be Zach Collins at center and Tre Jones at guard. The most likely candidates for the fifth starting spot are Malaki Branham, Stephon Castle, Blake Wesley and Sidy Cissoko.

Houston Rockets Starting Lineup

As of now, it doesn’t sound like the Rockets will join the Spurs in resting their top guns. For that reason, expect Houston to start Fred VanVleet at point guard, Jalen Green at shooting guard, Dillon Brooks at small forward, Jabari Smith Jr. at power forward and Alperen Sengun at center.

Off the bench, expect the Rockets to primarily use Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Steven Adams and rookie Reed Sheppard.

Betting Guide: Spurs at Rockets

The Rockets are favored by 8.5 points and the over/under is 222.5 points. With the Spurs sitting out so many of their primary cogs, the smart money is on Houston winning this game by nine or more points.