Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs Picks and Predictions February 26th 2025

Rockets Look to Fortify Defense Against Spurs Amid Playoff Push

The Houston Rockets have navigated a challenging stretch without veteran guard Fred VanVleet, losing six of their last nine games in his absence. However, they showed glimpses of their early-season resilience in a nail-biting victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, securing a 100-97 win to kick off their three-game homestand.

VanVleet, sidelined with an ankle injury for the tenth consecutive game, is set to miss another as Houston prepares to host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The matchup marks the second night of a back-to-back for both teams, testing the Rockets’ ability to sustain their recent defensive intensity.

Their fourth-quarter surge against Milwaukee demonstrated a renewed commitment to the fundamentals that propelled them up the Western Conference standings earlier in the season. The Rockets locked down defensively, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Bucks to a mere 3-of-18 shooting in the final period. With Milwaukee missing seven of its eight three-point attempts and struggling to generate offense outside of free throws, Houston capitalized on its defensive discipline to offset its own shooting struggles.

A critical element in their return to form was rebounding dominance. Alperen Sengun led the charge with 11 rebounds, while Amen Thompson added nine. Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. each grabbed eight, reinforcing Houston’s control of the boards on both ends of the floor. That physicality in the paint helped compensate for their offensive inconsistencies and sloppy ball handling, including six turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.

As the Rockets navigate the latter part of the season, rediscovering the intensity that defined their strong start remains key. Stringing together consistent performances will be crucial as they push for a playoff spot in a highly competitive Western Conference.

Seeking Growth and Consistency

Head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged that complacency may have crept into his team’s approach after their early-season success. He emphasized the need for sustained effort and attention to detail, particularly among Houston’s young core.

“I think the success we had early, we got a little content at times,” Udoka admitted. “We’re not doing the things obviously that we were doing early in the season as far as an effort and physicality standpoint. The growth is what I’m talking about. Some of those guys are three or four years in the league, and we want to see steps taken as far as not making the same mistakes and learning and growing from experiences. And it’s not just our young guys; we have veterans making the same mistakes as well.”

Udoka’s message is clear—Houston must use these remaining games to sharpen their execution and build on their recent defensive resurgence. As they take on the Spurs, another disciplined performance will be necessary to sustain momentum and solidify their postseason ambitions.

Spurs Adjusting After Wembanyama’s Season-Ending Injury

San Antonio enters Wednesday’s game reeling from both recent losses and the devastating news that rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. His absence leaves a significant void, both in production and morale, as the Spurs continue their rebuilding phase.

Coming off a 109-103 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs have dropped three of their four games since the All-Star break. However, veteran forward Harrison Barnes provided a bright spot in their latest outing, contributing 15 points and five rebounds while appearing in his 278th consecutive game.

Interim head coach Mitch Johnson commended Barnes for his durability and leadership in a tough season, praising his ability to remain engaged and competitive despite the team’s struggles.

“It’s a long season,” Johnson said. “There are a lot of circumstances and reasons to not feel up at times to play a game or be ready to compete or fight through, whatever the adversity or circumstances may be. And for someone who probably had a few times to say ‘maybe not tonight,’ he did, so he deserves credit for that.”

For the Spurs, the remainder of the season will serve as an opportunity to develop their young talent and establish a foundation for the future. Though wins may be scarce, their focus will remain on growth and resilience, traits they’ll need as they face a Houston squad hungry to maintain its defensive intensity.

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A Crucial Test for the Rockets

Wednesday’s matchup presents another chance for the Rockets to reinforce their defensive identity and prove that their victory over Milwaukee was not an anomaly. With VanVleet still out, Houston’s ability to stay disciplined, protect the ball, and dominate the glass will be critical.

For the Spurs, playing spoiler against a playoff-hopeful team like Houston could serve as motivation. Despite their struggles, they remain a scrappy, hard-working unit eager to test opponents down the stretch.

As both teams take the floor on the second night of a back-to-back, expect a physical contest where effort and execution will be the deciding factors. For Houston, another step toward consistency could go a long way in solidifying their postseason chances.