The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will face off for the fourth and final time in this regular season. On a three-game winless streak and without their best player, can the Spurs defy the odds and upset Houston? Or, will the Rockets win consecutive games for the first time since the NBA All-Star break?

Catch this game live on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM, Manila time

Away: San Antonio Spurs (24-32, 9-18 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Chris Paul
  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Devin Vassell
  • Harrison Barnes
  • Bismack Biyombo

Perhaps seeing a different opponent will light a fire under the Spurs, who are on a three-game losing skid – including back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans on the road. San Antonio has been shooting poorly of late, making only 41.2 percent of their field goal attempts in the last three outings. De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes have all shot worse than 37 percent in that span. 

The loss of Victor Wembanyama is doing a number on the Spurs on both ends of the floor, but San Antonio will have to find ways to live with his absence. Fox and Vassell, despite shooting a combined 12-for-37 in Wednesday’s 109-10 loss to New Orleans can expect to continue seeing plenty of chances on offense while Keldon Johnson might have to see more touches as well. Johnson has made 75.9 percent of his field goal attempts on an average of 9.7 attempts in the last three outings. 

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Home: Houston Rockets (36-22, 19-9 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Green
  • Dillon Brooks
  • Amen Thompson
  • Tari Eason
  • Alperen Sengun

It has been a bumpy ride of late for the Rockets, who got back in the win column after taking down the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Wednesday, 100-97. The Rockets are 2-2 straight up in their last four games. The absence of Wembanyama for the Spurs will be a huge plus for Houston, which should see lighter resistance on offense, with last season’s DPOY runner-up sidelined.  The Rockets have won two of three meetings with San Antonio, so far this season. 

However, all three of those contests took place before December, which means this will just be the first time that Houston will face De’Aaron Fox in a Spurs uniform. Still, Houston must be confident in its defense it is fifth in the NBA with just 108.8 points allowed per game. Speaking of guards, the Rockets could be without Fred VanVleet again. The former Wichita State Shockers star has missed the last 10 Rockets games with an ankle injury, opening the door for Amen Thompson to get starting duties. 

Picks

Spread: Houston Rockets(-9.0)

Over/Under: Under (227.0)

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