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NBA SIMS LEAGUE
Jan 31 11:49 am

NSL Insider - R1 Preview: San Antonio V Houston

by breece, updated on Tuesday, May 02 2023, 05:58 am EST

San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets

Bigger Picture

San Antonio are in the playoffs without the shadow of any controversy. Houston managed to fight their way in and secure the spot, 7th seed in the West. It is a mighty achievement to make it to the playoffs. With the league so fiercely contested, the stage of the playoffs has never seen so much intrigue. Will this matchup hold up to the hype!? 

 

First of all, one must ask, how did they get here? San Antonio secured their place in the Western Conference Playoffs by recording a 69 - 13. Led by their alpha Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Spurs amassed a dominant record, only eclipsed by GM and Conference rival, the Portland Trail Blazers. Impressively, their record against sub 500 teams, showed their ability to pummel teams - with a 48 - 4. GM Nels will have his team primed to go, with only Otto Porter missing the playoffs. 

 

Houston will be happy to be here. They have done fantastically to make it here. GM Vitticus as always has been uncompromising, and their presence here is not through luck, but rather grit. Their flexibility through the season has been admirable, and their team leader Nikola Jokic has been impeccable as always. 19 points per game, and 18 rebounds per game, for an entire season is ludicrous; even still, he might not secure MVP, such as the talent pool and outrageous performances throughout the league. Houston enter the playoffs with a clean bill of health. They will need every bit of talent and fight in this one. 

 

Projected Matchups

Point Guards

James Harden v Tyrese Maxey

The guard play in 2022-23 has been sublime and this will be no different. A stalwart versus a young gun. Harden has been proven throughout many years, yet his shooting has always been the issue; putting up needless shots. Yet in this Spurs unit he has been a steady contributor and played his role. Maxey is an excitement machine - steadily moving up the ranks of the young up-and-coming players of the league. The big question is whether Maxey can stifle Harden. He is very important to team success. Stopping Harden could be the key to victory here.

Shooting Guards

Dillon Brooks v Tyrese Haliburton

To finish off the two Tyrese guard pairing is Haliburton. On the other end, we have the troublesome tabloid tornado that is Dillon Brooks. What an intriguing fight this is!? Haliburton is a versatile guard with size and athleticism, and has been a big reason Houston is even in the playoffs. While Brooks has been just as important for the Spurs, amassing stat lines across the board - playing second scoring option for the most part as well. The other facet of the game that Haliburton will look to avoid is sending Brooks to the line - he saw the strip 300 plus times in the regular season. Just as important were their scoring exploits as their defensive contributions to stop the likes of Giannis and Jokic on the switch. 

Small Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo v Harrison Barnes

Is this a no contest? Giannis may well have a field day if things don�t go right for Barnes. The veteran Harrison Barnes has been ultra-handy and utilised to play the 3 to the best of his ability. Houston just need him to (or whoever ends up in this matchup) body and disrupt. This is where a switch might take place for the likes of Royce ONeale. Holding up the end is imperative, as the overwhelming presence of Giannis can break any team. Arguably the most dominant 2k player, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be himself in this one - dynamic on both ends of the court. 

Power Forwards 

Nikola Vucevic v Paul Reed

Mismatches are hard to read. On paper you look at the undersized Reed and think this is curtains, though Reed has been fighting many players that eclipse his size. Vucevic has underperformed by his high standards, though his need has not been statistical, it is spatial. Vucevic has been able to spread the floor and disrupt the flow of other teams - allowing free reign for Giannis and Dillon. Reed has been playing big, athletically able, and quick - which could be a chink in Nikola�s armour. 

Centers

Javale McGee v Nikola Jokic

Glitch McGee versus the MVP. McGee continues to put up big in the NSL. Jokic continues to be one of the perennial all-stars of the league. If San Antonio rest their hat on Giannis, so to the Houston Rockets rest on Nikola Jokic. McGee has fought many tough battles against all kinds of big-men talents. Last outing against the Spurs, the Rockets won 127-85 without Giannis, and still Jokic didn�t need to do much at all. Nor did Javale. Jokic will need to be extra effective, McGee seems to have a way of causing chaos. 

 

Bench Stocks

San Antonio 

Reggie Jackson, James Johnson, Willie Cauley-Stein, Thomas Bryant

Houston

Royce ONeale, JaMychal Green, Luke Kennard, Devonte Green, Montrez Harrell

 

Both benches run with the right balance in depth. They will both hold up their end. It will be maintaining consistency in the rotation and making sure the right players hit the court to nullify the opposition. Can the Houston bench be the x-factor for them?

 

Series Projection

 

While the Houston Rockets have been galant to make their way here, the Spurs have too much fire-power and coverage. With the full lineup of weapons, the series will be a tough one to watch for the Rocket faithful. A clean sweep looks on the cards with Giannis and Harden running riot, and McGee keeping Jokic quiet. Houston will be fighters as always, but it just won�t be enough for the coverage that San Antonio has. 

Spurs 4 - Rockets 0

Archive

· R1 Preview: Cleveland V Toronto

· R1 Preview: Memphis V OKC

· R1 Preview: New York V Boston

· R1 Preview: Washington V Charlotte

· R1 Preview: San Antonio V Houston

· R1 Preview: Milwaukee V Philly

· R1 Preview: Portland V Phoenix

· R1 Preview: Wolves V Nuggets

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