Spurs vs Rockets

The San Antonio Spurs look to snap an 11-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

But some optimism has emerged, as [coach Gregg Popovich](https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/san-antonio-spurs-keldon-johnson-gregg-popovich-absence-health-brett-brown-houston-rockets) is set to make his return to the sidelines following an undisclosed medical procedure that caused him to miss the past two games. [Click Here.](https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/) The records may be similar. "It’s good to have him back." Houston took down the Phoenix Suns 122-121 on the road on Dec. [The Spurs (6-18)](https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/san-antonio-spurs-keldon-johnson-continues-work-through-shooting-slump) currently have the second-worst winning percentage in the league (.250) and are in the middle of a league-worst 11-game losing streak.

Keldon Johnson scored 32 to lead seven Spurs in double figures as San Antonio ended the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. Author: Jeff Garcia ( ...

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs on December 8. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

That would matter if the Spurs had the talent to beat the Rockets. Popovich returned to practice on Wednesday and should be on the bench for San Antonio tonight. The pundits are right, this is San Antonio’s best chance to win a game in quite a while. Because there are factors that point in both directions, I’m not planning on betting the total tonight, though my instinct is to back the Under. On Monday, the Rockets beat the 76ers 132-123 at home and also have recent wins over the Hawks and Thunder. San Antonio is just 9-15 against the spread this season and has mostly been losing in blowout fashion during its current losing streak. None of these young players have hit the point of being fully consistent yet, but all four have displayed immense talent and the potential to become stars in the future. The Rockets are just one game better at 7-17, with every other team in the conference at least three games ahead of Houston. However, the Rockets have played better as of late, winning four of their last seven. Befitting their record, the Spurs have been bad at pretty much everything this season. The Spurs started this season with high hopes and jumped out to an early 5-2 record. If the Spurs are going to break out of their losing streak, there’s no better time than tonight.

The Houston Rockets visit the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. We continue our NBA odds series with a Rockets-Spurs prediction and pick.

The Spurs struggle on offense, ranking 26th in scoring and last in offensive efficiency. It’s even worse on the defensive end where they rank last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. They don’t do themselves any favors on the glass either, ranking 23rd in rebound differential and 25th in rebound rate. Things get worse on the defensive end of the floor where they rank 28th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency. After a blazing hot start, the Spurs have quickly flipped the switch and are now in full “tank” mode. The Rockets rank 22nd in scoring and 25th in offensive efficiency. The Rockets are maniacal on the glass, ranking third in both rebound differential and rebound rate. The Rockets are a dominant rebounding team and that starts first and foremost with center Alperen Sengun. Green contributes outside of the scoring department as well, averaging 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. For the season, Green averages 21.6 PPG on 42% shooting from the field and 32% from three. The Spurs are 9-15 against the spread while 57% of their games have gone under. The Rockets are 12-11 against the spread while 54% of their games have gone over.

Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable at the time of this writing, but either way, the Rockets have a distinct talent advantage on paper. Whether that materializes ...

[Houston Rockets](https://www.thedreamshake.com/) (7-17) December 8, 2022, 7:30 p.m. [San Antonio Spurs](https://www.poundingtherock.com) (6-18) vs. is questionable at the time of this writing, but either way, the Rockets have a distinct talent advantage on paper.