The Rockets are currently kicking the tar out of the San Antonio Spurs. It’s total destruction, to the point that there will likely be multiple Alamo-related puns gracing the sports pages of the less reputable newspapers tomorrow.
Houston has made 15 threes en route to a 96-67 lead after three quarters, and though it’s always possible that the Spurs pull off what would be the biggest fourth quarter comeback win in the history of the NBA playoffs (I have not researched this, but come on, it’s 29 points!) it seems much more likely that the Rockets will take game 1 in commanding fashion.
Here, then, is a play that just about sums up the night for both teams. It’s a typical Houston pick-and-roll, with James Harden working his magic along with Clint Capela. How’d it end up?
Let’s find out:
Good heavens that’s a ridiculous play. TNT offered us zero replays of the dunk, because they hate fun, apparently. The game got a bit heated, with the Spurs not enjoying the shellacking they’re receiving, leading to pushing and shoving which led to Houston’s Nene getting tossed early in the fourth quarter, but San Antonio already has bench players in, a sign Pop knows it’s best to conserve energy for the remainder of the series.
And, hey, this might end up being the best series of the round.
