Parker’s likely return adds to difficulty of facing Spurs
The Rockets on Wednesday dodged Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who was sitting out a fourth consecutive game, but they could see him for Saturday’s rematch at Toyota Center.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Parker would return from his sore right knee either Friday against the Pistons or Saturday in Houston. Patty Mills has played well starting in Parker’s place, but Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni thought the challenge of facing the Spurs is about to get tougher.
“You’re talking about one of the best point guards ever,” D’Antoni said after his team’s 101-99 win on Wednesday. “He’ll make a difference. You hope you’ll catch him maybe too soon or who knows. He’s one of the best in the league.”
Coach wants a steady pace
The Rockets held on for a 101-99 win over the Spurs despite scoring just 19 fourth-quarter points. They held the Spurs to 16 but continued to have a tendency to slow down late in games, walking the ball up the floor and playing without the pace they prefer.
“We have a long way to go,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Our fourth quarters are sometimes lacking and we have to get better.
“We have to guard against (slowing down in the fourth quarters), and we did it in Washington pretty well. I think (Wednesday) was a little combination of being the fifth game on the road and just being a little tired.”
Still, he had no complaints following a win in San Antonio and with Pat Beverley likely back in the next week or two.
“I’ll take this one,” D’Antoni said. “Offensively, we are going to be OK. Pat is going to help a lot, defensively and offensively, so we are looking forward to getting him back as soon as we can.”
NBA admits missed foul call
The Rockets held on for Wednesday’s win when the Spurs missed two shots inside in the final seconds, but the NBA ruled Thursday that the first of those shots should have led to two free throws.
The NBA’s daily last two minutes report indicated Nene should have been called for a foul with two seconds left on Kahwi Leonard’s shot. Nene’s follow-through knocked down Leonard, a 97.2 percent shooter from the line this season.
Left open as Nene went over to defend Leonard, Spurs forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge missed a two-handed tip at the rim in the final second as Nene helped Leonard to his feet.