11th seed Spurs will take on Rockets today, who are placed 4th in the Western Conference table. Check out the preview and TV Schedule for the game.
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Despite a respectable 4-2 record in the NBA 2020 bubble restart, San Antonio Spurs are finding it extremely difficult to climb up the Western Conference ladder. They have done everything to remain relevant in the fight for the playoffs.
However, the rest of the teams are spoiling Spurs’ chances. In the last game against the Nuggets, they were outplayed in the last quarter. Against Sixers, one defensive error cost them the game. And even if they keep on winning, the other teams in the fight for the play-in tournament too have been winning their respective games.
Also Read: Donovan Mitchell caught on Instagram live getting intimate with someone in the NBA Bubble
The Rockets have already secured a playoff spot. They are 4-1 in the bubble having lost only to the Trailblazers. They have been in great form in the previous two games against the Kings and the Lakers. We can only expect this momentum for the Rockets to continue.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook seem to be developing something special here in Orlando, especially offensively. Defensively, the entire Rockets unit has been very pro-active and have figured out a strategy to play against teams that use height to dominate them as well.
Spurs desperately need a victory to stay relevant in the playoff picture. Dan Weiss explains the Spurs’ situation in this tweet:
With the @Suns win here’s how the @spurs can advance to the play in round:
2-0 record: Portland AND Phoenix both go 1-1 (Spurs finish #9). Portland AND Phoenix go 1-1 AND Memphis finishes 0-2 (Spurs finish #8).
1-1 record: Portland AND Phoenix finishes 0-2 (Spurs finish #9).— Dan Weiss (@DanWeissPBP) August 10, 2020
Where to watch Rockets vs Spurs on TV and Online?
The game will tipoff at 2 PM ET.
The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest- San Antonio, AT&T Sportsnet-SouthWest and TSN2.
You can also watch a live-stream of the game on Fubo.tv.
Fans across the world can also watch the game on NBA TV with the help of the NBA League Pass.
How are the teams lined up?
Houston Rockets
Austin Rivers, who put on a magnificent display against the Kings will definitely make heads turn. He scored a career-high 41 points, with 70% shooting from the field. Russell Westbrook who was rested against the Kings will also be returning tonight for the Rockets.
The supporting cast in Covington and McLemore came to the party in the previous game without Westbrook. They scored 12 and 20 points respectively.
The Rockets have used the small ball strategy to benefit massively from their perimeter shooting, raking up 3 points on the offense more often, even if it means giving up on some height advantage defensively.
Back in action tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/zC2kbt3WfP
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 10, 2020
Predicted lineup: P.J. Tucker, James Harden, Robert Covington, Danuel House, Ben McLemore
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs will be delighted with their victory against Pelicans in their previous encounter. Their gameplay tempo has increased since the restart.
They have the 4th highest offensive rating in the NBA 2020 bubble restart. DeMar DeRozan has led the Spurs offense, shooting at an impressive 62.5% and making everything on the offensive tick through him.
Defense is where the Spurs struggle, just like the Rockets and hence expect this match up to be an extremely open affair when it comes to offense.
Harden and DeRozan could really blow up with points in Orlando tonight.
Predicted lineup: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker IV, DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl
