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Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, each delivering 21 points, catapulted the Houston Rockets to a commanding 127-100 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday evening. The Rockets seized control from the onset, amassing an insurmountable 25-point advantage by the end of the first half.
Rockets Maintain Lead Even as Spurs Bench Warms Up
A 27-point lead in the final quarter prompted Spurs’ coach Ime Udoka to give his bench players some court time with approximately six and a half minutes to spare. Alperen Sengun augmented the Rockets’ score with his 16 points, contributing to their fourth victory in their last five matches. VanVleet’s season-best performance was embellished by 10 assists and seven rebounds, enhancing his 21-point contribution.
Spurs Suffer Second Consecutive Loss
Victor Wembanyama put up a valiant effort for the Spurs with 15 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a second successive defeat. The Spurs were also grappling with the temporary absence of their coach Gregg Popovich. He is on an indefinite break due to health issues, with Mitch Johnson assuming the role of interim coach during this period.
Key Takeaways from the Game
Spurs’ Defense Takes a Hit
The Spurs’ defensive structure showed cracks in their first game without their leading on-ball defender Jeremy Sochan, who is sidelined with a fractured left thumb. This leaves rookie Stephon Castle with big shoes to fill, as he steps up to replace Sochan during his recovery.
Rockets Display Consistency
The Rockets managed to maintain a consistent performance throughout the game, an issue they had struggled with in their previous two matches. It was a comprehensive victory against the Spurs, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
Pivotal Moments & Statistics
The Rockets were leading by 7 points with around five minutes remaining in the opening quarter. They then launched a 7-0 run, with VanVleet responsible for the first five points, to extend their lead to 22-8. The Spurs were unable to recover, never getting closer than a 10-point deficit.
The Rockets also proved superior in the paint, outscoring the Spurs 66-46.
What’s Next?
The San Antonio Spurs will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, while the Houston Rockets are headed to Oklahoma City on Friday night.
