Spurs’ strong second half not enough to top Rockets: Three Standout Players

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 1: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Houston Rockets on February 1, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs’ strong second half was not enough to lift them past the red hot Houston Rockets (34-20) as the silver and black fell 102-91 at the AT&T Center on Thursday night.

The game was the fourth of a five game home-stand, with San Antonio owning a 2-2 record with one game remaining. San Antonio had no answer for the Rockets shooting as the Spurs shot just 30 percent in the opening quarter.

Here is what went good and bad for the Spurs, as well as three standout players: LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green, and Bryn Forbes.

The Good: 

  • After going down 19, the Spurs made a rally in the third quarter. San Antonio scored 32 points in the period and would eventually cut the deficit down to just six points.
  • Danny Green and Bryn Forbes had solid nights, keeping the Spurs in the game at times they had no business being in it.
  • I’m a fan of the Spur black uniforms at home.

The Bad:

  • San Antonio turned the ball over 16 times for the second straight game. The Spurs own a record of 6-12 when turning the ball over 16 times or more.
  • Patty Mills had an off night, scoring just four points off the bench on 2-of-8 shooting and went 0-for-6 from three point range.
  • The Spurs had no answer for James Harden, who scored 28 points. San Antonio went on two separate runs with him on the bench.

Three Standout Players:

    Danny Green: We’ve all heard when something isn’t working, you adapt and try something new. That is what Spurs guard Danny Green did and he led his team in points.

Green finished with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting and 3-of-7 from three point range. With the 30-year-old Green struggling from beyond the arc this season, he went inside early and often in the game. We all know Green has been looking to improve his game since becoming known for three’s. But Thursday showed what consistent play can do for the Spurs and Green.

     LaMarcus Aldridge: While having much success against the Rockets in the past, LaMarcus Aldridge did his best to keep the Spurs in the game as much as he could on Thursday.

Aldridge finished with 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. The Spurs forward used his size to post up Houston’s Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela, and even took advantage of the mismatch when he was up against Chris Paul.

     Bryn Forbes: The former Michigan State Spartan continues to be solid off the bench for Coach Pop and showed exactly why the future Hall of Fame coach has so much trust in him.

Forbes finished with 11 points on 50 percent shooting and scored half of the Spurs’ points to begin the fourth quarter. The growth of Forbes is a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise off year for the Silver and Black due to injuries.

Up next:

The Spurs are now 34-20 on the season and will return to the court on Saturday when they welcome the 22-28 Utah Jazz to the AT&T Center at 7:30 p.m.

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