San Antonio Spurs: Swept By Houston For First Time In 25 Years

San Antonio’s Bench Nearly Gives Spurs 1st Win of 2013-14 Over Rockets

San Antonio, which has only missed the playoffs four times since joining the NBA (1983-84, 1986-87, 1988-89 and 1996-97), took a franchise-high 62 losses prior to drafting Timmy No. 1. One of the main reasons for that and for nearly stealing a victory on Monday was the Spurs’ reserves in Houston.

Not counting 17 points from Marco Belinelli as well as six apiece from starters Baynes and Dion James, San Antonio’s bench outscored the Rockets 47-15. Kevin McHale chose to just play four off the pine while Gregg Popovich gave six players time despite giving Green, Leonard, Mills (first game missed all year) and Splitter the night off.

Trailing by as many as 14 during the first and second half the Spurs rallied due to an inspired bench led by Jeff Ayres with 12 points. Down 76-62 late in the third period San Antonio bridged a 13-0 run ending the third quarter into the beginning of the fourth to pull within one.

Omer Asik‘s layup and block swung momentum back to Houston before a 10-0 run capped by a Boris Diaw triple pushed the Spurs ahead 85-80 with 6:39 to go. Ultimately though James Harden being able to draw a foul from 3 and three offensive boards the final five minutes helped the Rockets hang on.