An encore
The Rockets host the Spurs after posting a two-point win in San Antonio on Wednesday night.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni doesn’t mind consecutive games against the same opponent during the regular season.
If he had to choose the opponent, though, it wouldn’t be the Spurs.
“You hate it because they’re a really good team,” D’Antoni said. “I like to play consecutive games against bad teams. Not good teams.”
It’s what the Rockets are faced with as they prepare for the return game in a two-game swing against San Antonio on Saturday at Toyota Center. On Wednesday, the Rockets won 101-99 — the Spurs’ third consecutive home loss.
It is the second of three times the Rockets play the same opponent in consecutive games this season. The first was just in October against Dallas — both wins. The Rockets won the first game at Dallas 106-98 and won the second game at home 93-92.
Therein lies the trap with these back-to-backs, Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said — thinking the second game will be anything like the first.
“It’s almost like playing in the playoffs, right?” Ariza said. “You play the same team for a series. It’s almost like the same concept.”
Way of life in NBA
The Rockets have another stretch of consecutive games against the same opponent with a trip to Denver on March 18 and the return game at Toyota Center on March 20.
The Rockets faced only one opponent in consecutive games last year — a 93-91 win at Utah on Jan. 4 and a 103-94 win over the Jazz at Toyota Center on Jan. 7.
Such is life in the NBA, although it presents its own set of challenges, especially against the staunch Spurs.
James Harden said Saturday is special considering it’s only the second time all season the Rockets have played at home, too.
“Just pay attention to detail,” Harden said. “The detail has to be on point. The defensive assignments have to be locked in. Everybody has to be on the same page. Offensively, you have to take care of the basketball, get good shots
and make sure you get back on defensive transition.”
Wednesday’s victory over the Spurs was the exclamation point on a 3-2 road trip that included wins over Washington and New York and losses to Cleveland and Atlanta.
Maybe it’s a win that makes an early statement, but the Rockets aren’t buying anything when they have to play that same team Saturday.
“We’ve got an opportunity to play the Spurs again tomorrow, then we have about 75 more games left,” Harden said. “Good
win for us especially with as new a team we are, but tomorrow is another great challenge for us.”
Harden on fire
The Rockets are glad Harden is coming off the road trip in top form, too. He’s the only player in the league averaging doubledigit assists at 13 a game. He is fourth in points per game at 30.6.
The move to point guard under D’Antoni has paid dividends so far, and the team certainly notices.
“I think it’s just a mindset,” Ariza said. “Knowing that he’s playing the point guard, he’s more aware of trying to get other people involved other than playing the shooting guard position, which is his natural position. It’s a scoring position.
“So now that he’s changed positions, he’s more aware of trying to get everybody else involved as well as himself.”