It’s game number 20 here at the AT&T Center as the San Antonio Spurs (15-4) and Houston Rockets (9-8) prepare to face each other for the first time this season.
The Spurs were four men down in their victory on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, but in his pregame press conference, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said guard Danny Green will start against the Rockets and Patty Mills will be active and back on the bench.
The Spurs will need arguably their second best wing defender tonight in Green as they prepare to face “The Beard” James Harden (23.6 points), “Linsanity” Jeremy Lin (10.5 points), and the Rockets who bring in a starting five that are all averaging over 10 points per game. Lin, Harden, Chandler Parsons (15.8 points), Patrick Patterson (14.1 points), and Omer Asik (10.9 points, 12.1 rebounds) make up the Rockets’ starting five.
Side Notes
· Coach Popovich said he doesn’t expect Kawhi Leonard to be back any time soon. He said Leonard would not be making the Spurs’ upcoming four-game road trip but he said Jackson might be on the trip.
· Coach Popovich had high praise for Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson, who has taken over the head coaching duties while head coach Kevin McHale is away with his family after the passing of his daughter.
