Rockets tie with Spurs 106-101 – evening out in an uneven performance

Well, that was harder than it needed to be. The Rockets have yet to play three good quarters in a game this season, let alone four.

The Rockets started this game brilliantly and won the first quarter comfortably 29:15. It felt like San Antonio was poised to win, but the Spurs managed to rally late in the 2nd quarter after the Rockets left them trailing by 20 points. Despite the Spurs' improved play, the Rockets managed to narrowly win the quarter, with a 3-point lead of 33 to 30. Despite some ominous signs, the lead was 17 at halftime.

The Spurs came out of the half focused and the Rockets once again showed one of their usual attacking phases in which the opponent settled in defense. Still, they managed to hold off during a Spurs run for most of the quarter. In the end, however, San Antonio's shooting prowess and the Rockets' lack of an easier offense to execute under pressure led to the Rockets collapsing at the end of the third quarter.

The Spurs' attack continued while the Rockets were unable to get out of their own way for another period. Of course, the only Rocket who could score at all was Mr. Reliable, Jalen Green. Between the start of the 4th and 3:17 left in the game, the only Rockets to score were Sengun, who made two free throws, and Jalen Green, who scored six points.

The game was tied at 94-91 at three points with 3:17 remaining. This was thanks in large part to the best offensive play I've seen from Chris Paul in quite some time, literally a few years.

From that point on, however, the Rockets relented. Jabari Smith made an important three-pointer, Jalen and Jabari made their free throws. After a truly, oh yes, remarkable decision by the Spurs that resulted in a six-point game, Fred VanVleet hit a three-pointer on a good pass after a Jalen Green drive to end the game. The contest would end 106-101 after Wembanyama filled up the stats a little later.

As wins go, this victory was both a relief and a frustration. Frustrating because the Rockets are unable to maintain a lead and keep the scoreboard moving, and the coaching staff doesn't seem to have any answers in these situations.

It's a relief not to have lost twice to Spurs, despite back-to-back away games and a second away game at San Antionio.

Before I get into the Rockets' good deeds, let me say that the way Victor Wembanyama is officiating is frankly absurd. You don't also have to give a player who is a walking cheat code a “win” button by calling almost all contacts in his favor. If any contact he doesn't like, which is anything he doesn't initiate, is a foul, then the NBA may have a new superstar.

As I watched him play two games in a row, I wondered if he would be a superstar like Anthony Davis. That is, one that gets a lot of attention but doesn't actually appeal to anyone much except the home team.

There was also an exchange where Chris Paul should have had a four-point play in exchange for a made three-point shot. But the referees who still call games like ²⁄₃ of last season (someone needs to send Monty McCutchen to run and play on a nice farm upstate) saw fit to make the game a Flagrant 1 for Eason, so it ended up being a six point game for the Spurs was. Because of course it was.

As for the Rockets, we could see a breakout from Jalen Green. He plays with a level of competence and maturity that we have never seen before. Tonight he made the difference between a win and a loss. He managed 11-22fg/7-133pt/7-7FT/1rb/2as for 36 points. It was his crucial late pass to VanVleet that sealed the game.

Is it finally happening? Stay tuned.

Jabari Smith also played well at 17/8.

Sengun had a tough game with the Doubles, Wemby and Spurs pushing him to the line. That worked last time, but with Jalen shooting it better, this technique of doubling Alpie and packing the paint may not be around for long. Still a “tough game” it was still 12/12/5/1/1 for Sengun.

Dillon Brooks had the difficult task of guarding Wemby and he did it well.

Tari Eason continues to make good things happen while Amen Thompson finds his way out of the dunker position a bit.

Steven Adams played very good minutes, which was not statistically noticeable, but contributed to winning the game.

Fred VanVleet played 41 minutes and didn't shoot well, except for the point that clinched the game. He also provided 9 assists with 0 turnovers and is just an all-around winning player.

That's it for now. The Rockets don't play again until Thursday when they meet the Mavericks in Dallas in Texas.