Houston Rockets Game 35 of 2015-16 Season vs Spurs

Houston Rockets Game 35 of 2015-16  featured the second meeting with division rival San Antonio Spurs

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 35 of 2015-16 versus the San Antonio Spurs.

Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich gives direction to his team against the Houston Rockets during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 35 – Spurs

Pregame Analysis:

SCS pregame analysis focused on how the Rockets hadn’t played a complete game since Christmas Day when they beat the Spurs in their first match-up.

The last time these two teams met it was Christmas Day with many expecting the Spurs to steam roll the inconsistent Houston Rockets, but it was the home team who shocked the Spurs with arguably their most complete defensive effort of the year.

Since that Christmas Day upset win the Houston Rockets have lost 3 consecutive games each with fourth quarter collapses and full segments of the individual games when the team abandoned their defensive efforts completely.  Now the Rockets must once again do something no one expects them to do: be the first team to beat San Antonio on the AT&T Center where they are 19-0.

Post Game Analysis:

Coty Davis summed up the result in the post game report.

Another night featuring a Southwest rivalry in the Lone Star State with the Houston Rockets losing their fourth consecutive game. This battle occurred in the Alamo City, as the  San Antonio Spurs demonstrated very clearly why they are unbeaten at home this season at the AT&T Center.

This was their second meeting within the past two weeks after Houston’s 88-84 home victory over the Spurs on Christmas Day. The Rockets played well in the first half and it felt more like a game 7 playoff game than a regular season match. Houston played good defense, and clicked on all cylinders on the offensive end. Then just like the past 3 games the Rockets found a way to collapse in one quarter costing them the game.

On this night it was a 36-17 third quarter shellacking which quickly turned the game into a nightmare for the Rockets.

Stat Leaders:

For the Rockets Dwight Howard provided one of his better efforts with 22 points and12 rebounds while LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals.

NBA.com provides full box score which can be viewed via this link.

Rockets Games vs Spurs in 2016-17

• November 9th in San Antonio at AT&T Center
• November 12th at home
• December 20th at home
• March 6th in San Antonio at AT&T Center

Draft Picks and Free Agents

With Tim Duncan retiring the Spurs  enter the 2016-17 season for the first time in 20 years without him. It’s bound to be weird initially not seeing the Big Fundamental on the floor.  To offset the loss San Antonio inked Pau Gasol to fill Duncan’s rather large shoes. Fortunately Manu Ginobili returns for another season, so the core remains basically intact.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Dejounte Murray (29)

Round 2: None

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

• Bryn Forbes : given a guaranteed contract beyond Summer League
• Pau Gasol 2-years $30M
• Olivier Hanlan (trade exchange from Jazz for Diaw)
• Dewayne Dedmon on 2-year $6M deal, exits Orlando
• David Lee on 2-year $3.2M deal exits Dallas

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• David West veteran minimum contract of 1 year at $1.3M to Warriors
• Boris Diaw (traded to Jazz)
• Boban Marjanovic 3-years $21M offer sheet (Spurs will not match)

Re-upping:

• Tim Duncan Exorcised Option – Since then has retired
• Manu Ginobili  1 year, $14M
• Ryan Arcidiacono, No terms provided
• Davis Bertans No terms provided

Unresolved:

•  Kevin Martin
• Matt Bonner
• Andre Miller

More Free Agent News

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus.  Specifically, the first area  is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will  make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application