Spurs snap Rockets’ streak at 11 games

SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs took advantage of a Rockets team that admitted to a lapse of focus after recently clinching the best record in the Western Conference, and pulled out a crucial win in its own playoff push.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Rudy Gay added 21 points as San Antonio held Houston to its lowest-scoring game of the season, beating the Rockets 100-83 to snap their 11game winning streak.

“We’ve been through some ups and downs this season, but we’re picking up at the right time,” Gay said. “There is no better time than this. This is when teams make or break themselves.”

The Spurs, winners of eight of their last 10, remained fourth in the Western Conference after preventing a season sweep by the Rockets, who have the NBA’s best record with a franchise-best wins total.

There appeared to be a bit of a hangover after the Rockets clinched the West’s top seed following Golden State’s loss to Milwaukee on Thursday.

“[The Spurs] played 10 times harder than we did,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Looked like a team trying to stay in the playoffs at a good spot and (Rockets) like a team that’s already got it sewn up and we played that way. If we play that way Tuesday we’ll get our rears busted again.”

San Antonio outscored Houston 19-8 to open the fourth quarter in taking a 94-74 lead with 5 minutes remaining. D’Antoni opted to take his starters out two minutes later, but they struggled prior to the late benching.

Houston shot 34 percent from the field and was 7 for 31 on 3-pointers.

“They do a good job of trying to run us off the line,” Rockets star James Harden said. “They played much harder than us. They’re fighting for a playoff spot as well. Credit them, they came out and played well tonight.” —

SPURS 100 ROCKETS 83