NSL Insider - R1 Review: San Antonio V Houston

by JustinG, updated on Tuesday, May 16 2023, 02:17 am EST

Spurs vs Rockets Series Review:

The Spurs handled the Rockets in 4 games in this series, one which did not have many contested affairs. The average margin of victory was 18 for the Spurs, with only one closely contested game, game 2 in which the Spurs won at home to the tune of a 113-108 victory. There were brief glimpses of the greatness many expect to see from the Rockets in coming years, including jumping out to a 10-point lead after 1 quarter in game 2, but the Spurs proved to be too much to overcome over the stretch of 48 minutes. Let�s break down each game, to see how things shook out to a 4-0 San Antonio sweep.

Game 1:

At the onset of game 1, it first looked like we were headed to a series sweep. The Spurs got out to a 15-point lead after 1 quarter, at which point many thought the Spurs would cruise. However, the Rockets responded quickly by answering with their own 14 point run in the 2nd quarter, that would lead to a 1-point game going into the half. From there, it was all Spurs, as the Joker was only able to log 23 minutes, Giannis, Harden, and Brooks all poured in 20 points apiece, and the Spurs cruised to a big game 1 win.

Final Score: Spurs 112, Rockets 89, 1-0 SAS

Game 2:

The most highly contested game of the series, Harrison Barnes, Jokic, and Norman Powell all got off to hot starts, and the Rockets went up early 31-21 after the first quarter. After a hot 2nd quarter from the Spurs, they had roared back to take the lead by half, and once again never looked back. Jokic registered a double-double with 26 points and 12 boards, and Tyrese Halliburton added another 26 points, but Giannis and Vucevic came up big for the Spurs in securing the win, combining for 46 points, 20 boards, and 12 assists. Huge game for the Spurs frontcourt.

Game 3:

A true Spurs fashion blowout here, the Rockets fans had to turn this one off at half, when the Spurs went up by 22 points. By the end of the third, the margin was 28. In that game, the Rockets had looked to switch up the look they were presenting to the Spurs in the first two, by moving Jokic to the PF spot, and elevating Green into the starting 5 spot. Unfortunately for the Rockets, GM Nelso had a twist of his own in the works, as he input WCS into the starting 5 in lieu of Vucevic. The result worked wonders for the Spurs, as Jokic was held to only 17 points. Giannis came up big again for the Spurs, this time notching a triple double with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. For my money, it was the best performance of any 1 player in the series.

Game 4:

With Halliburton to the bench in favor of the larger wing/guard types the Rockets could trot out, the Rockets found some early success defensively in game 4. They got out to a 21-15 lead after the first quarter and had a manageable deficit at half. They held the Spurs to 105 points in game 4, their lowest total of the series, and GM Vit�s defensive strategy had appeared to pay off. However, Jokic�s worst offensive game of the series came at the worst possible time. He finished game 4 with only 9 points scored, however he did bring in 21 rebounds. Jokic went 3-14 in the game and averaged about 19 points in the series prior to game 4. The Rockets lost the game by 19, you can�t help but imagine what the game could have been like with a normal Jokic output. Giannis once again proved he was the best player on the floor, scoring 28 points, and bringing in 15 boards.

Series Breakdown: Both GMs made some impressive tactical tweaks to their lineups to allow them to tip the scales in their favor. For what it�s worth, I thought GM Vit put his team in perhaps their most viable position to succeed, especially in games 3 and 4, answering the Spurs front court height, with additional backcourt height, so the Rockets could battle tougher on the boards. The tactic made sense to me after the Spurs outrebounded the Rockets in game 1, and the Spurs had 128 points in the paint through 2 games. GM Nelso had just put together too strong of a team to compete with and made his own tactical tweaks that allowed the Spurs to stay 2 steps ahead of the Rockets at every turn. A great series and season for both GM�s. We wish Nelso the best of luck throughout the rest of the playoffs, and Vit the best of luck through his off-season and next year!

	LAC	105
	ORL	111

	LAL	122
	DEN	119

	NY	103
	UTAH	110

	MEM	100
	SAC	113

	POR	92
	UTAH	100

NSL Insider - R1 Review: San Antonio V Houston

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