The Houston Roundball Review is an online basketball publication by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets dug themselves too large a whole against too good an opponent Saturday night. The San Antonio Spurs cruised to a 104-94 win over the Rockets.
The Rockets (29-30) trailed the Spurs 26-11 after the first quarter and 51-31 at halftime. Then, in the third quarter, the Spurs led by as much as 31 points (71-40) before the Rockets mounted a mini-run to finish the third quarter and another run in the fourth period.
"The first quarter is what got us," J.B. Bickerstaff, Rockets' interim-head coach said after the game. "We just weren't effective enough in the first quarter.
"You've got to have pace in the game - which I thought we didn't start the game out with very well. Early in the game, I just didn't think we had enough of that."
"We just didn't start the game with the right type of energy; and, they (the Spurs) got off to a really good start," Dwight Howard said.
Howard scored 11 points (4 for 11 field goals) and pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds.
"We got our shots. We just didn't knock them down. We played with some aggressiveness in the second half; but, it was a bit little too late," said James Harden.
Harden scored 27 points; but, he made only 10 of his 25 field goal attempts in 41 plus minutes. Harden only had two assists in the game.
Corey Brewer and Jason Terry each scored 15 points.
Terry's 15 points give him back-to-back games scoring 10 plus points.
Including tonight's 5 for 7 field goal shooting, Brewer is shooting 72.7% from the floor the last two games. He shot just 27.3% the prior six games.
The Spurs outshot the Rockets 48.7% to 41.7%. After holding the Spurs to 40.9% shooting in the 84-81 win Christmas night, the Rockets allowed the Spurs to shoot 52.4% in the next three head-to-head match-ups. The Spurs (50-9) improve to 45-0 when outshooting opponents this season.
The Rockets lost the season series versus the Spurs 3-1.
Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 27 points. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points and pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds.
"I feel like we still have a ways to go," said Leonard. "We still want to get better as a unit on both ends of the floor. We need to just be a little more consistent."
