After 3 straight seasons with no more than 22 wins, the Houston Rockets surprised a lot of people last year and finished the season with 41 wins. Under new head coach Ime Udoka, shooting guard Jalen Green and do-it-all big man Alperen Sengun had the best seasons of their young careers, while the addition of veterans Fred VanFleet and Dillion Brooks brought a much-needed vet presence to a team full of players 25 and younger. Under Udoka, the Rockets finished the season top 10 in defensive efficiency and have plenty of potential to build a capable offense this season as well. They’re coming off a home win Monday night against a New York Knicks team that’s considered in the mix for a Finals berth.
For the San Antonio Spurs, they’d surely love to see their young core take off and manage a .500 season. The club still isn’t whole to start Victor Wembanyama’s sophmore season, with Devin Vassell and Tre Jones still out, and their absence has definitely been felt in the early going. But it doesn’t stop with those two: Jeremy Sochan played just 12 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and even head coach Gregg Popovich is currently sidelined. Thankfully, there’s plenty of season left to get things on track, but whether or not the Spurs exceed expectations this year comes down to winning match-ups like this, against other up-and-comers.
San Antonio Spurs (3-4) at Houston Rockets (4-3)
November 6th 2024 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Tre Jones, ankle (OUT), Devin Vassell, foot (OUT), Jeremy Sochan, thumb (OUT)
Rockets Injuries: Dillon Brooks, illness (questionable), Steven Adams, knee (OUT)
What to watch for
- In 3 games against the Spurs last season, Sengun averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds, and nearly 5 assists on 58% shooting from the field. The 6’11 big is a key hub for Houston on offense, a formidable post-up player and a very capable and willing passer. In match-ups past, Ime Udoka has gone with Dillon Brooks as Victor Wembanyama’s main defender, saving Sengun’s energy on that end of the floor. It’s a strategy that the Houston head coach is sure to go to once again if Brooks can play tonight.
- Wembanyama averaged just a little under 15 points in the 4 match-ups with Houston last season. He’s stepped it up his last 3 games after that dud against OKC, with first the 5×5 game and then nearly picking up a triple double in the loss to the Clippers on Monday with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks (!!!). A big night from the young Frenchman could silence Brooks and the Houston faithful.
- It was announced last night that Jeremy Sochan fractured his thumb in the Clippers’ loss, an injury that will require surgery. Down 2 projected starters now, who the coaching staff decides to slot into the starting lineup is anyone’s guess. Perhaps they throw Malaki Branham into the mix and try to maximize their shooting?
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