Rockets guards John Wall and Eric Gordon combined for 53 points on 56.3% shooting, but the third member of Houston’s backcourt trio didn’t have a similar contribution in Saturday’s 111-106 home loss (box score) to San Antonio. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 30 points.
Victor Oladipo scored just 9 points on 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), and his unnecessary foul with 3:01 left in the fourth quarter allowed San Antonio to quickly tie the game after the Rockets had taken their first (and only) lead. After those two free throws by Jakob Poeltl, DeRozan scored the next seven points as the visitors pulled away at Toyota Center.
With star big man Christian Wood out indefinitely with an ankle injury, DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks as Wood’s replacement in the starting lineup. Yet, the Rockets clearly missed Wood’s athleticism on defense and as a roll threat on offense.
In his return from a three-game absence due to his own ankle sprain, defensive ace David Nwaba had 14 points and 5 points in 22 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-7 from the field (85.7%). Yet, it wasn’t enough to offset Oladipo’s struggles for the Rockets — especially when considering the big game on the other side from DeRozan.
Spurs edge Rockets 111-106 and take the season series 2-1, which could have tiebreaker implications later on.
Rockets with too many fouls, turnovers down the stretch.
Victor Oladipo with a rough night (9 points, 4/14 FG) needs to be better with Christian Wood out.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 7, 2021
Victor Oladipo 29-79 FG (36.7%), 6-27 3pt (22.2%) in 4 games at Toyota Center this season which includes this game
— Adam Abramson (@Adam_Abramson1) February 7, 2021
It’s was only the second loss for the Rockets (11-11) in their last nine games. Yet, it could potentially be a meaningful one, since it allowed the Spurs (13-10) to stay ahead of Houston in the Southwest Division and clinch the potential tiebreaker by securing the regular-season series, 2-1.
See below for select highlights and postgame reaction. The Rockets return to action on Monday in Charlotte for what will be the first game of a road back-to-back, concluding in New Orleans the next day.
