Rockets try to stay hot vs. Spurs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Suddenly the Houston Rockets are gaining attention and will game homestand tonight versus the rival San Antonio Spurs.
The Rockets have won five in a row and six of their last seven games, including Thursday's 90-88 overtime victory against the New Orleans Hornets at the Toyota Center. Samuel Dalembert's put-back slam with 11 seconds left in overtime lifted the Rockets, who almost blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and are on the longest winning streak since a five-game run last March 14-23.
"Tonight was a desperate performance by us," said Rockets guard Kevin Martin, who posted a game-high 32 points. "It just looked like the life was out of us, but we found a way to pull that one out."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dalembert finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds, while Courtney Lee added 17 points in his second game back from a calf strain. Houston last won six in a row from Feb. 11-26, 2009 and improved to 6-1 at home. It is unbeaten in the last four games in Space City and has won 18 straight when holding opponents under 90 points.
Houston will visit Minnesota after tonight's game and will return home for a four-game residency versus the Bucks, Wizards, Knicks and Timberwolves. Rockets forward Jordan Hill sat out with flu-like symptoms and is listed as questionable for Saturday. Dalembert (ankle) is also questionable and is averaging 15.2 points and 12.8 rebounds over the last five contests.
The Spurs are coming off their first loss of the season at home (9-1) with Friday's stunning 88-86 setback to the Sacramento Kings. They had won 12 in a row in this series until Tyreke Evans hit a jump shot with 47.2 seconds remaining to keep Sacramento ahead for good.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tony Parker had a game-high 24 points for the Spurs, who entered the game with wins in seven of 10 games. Duncan, DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter netted 10 points apiece in a losing effort. The Spurs were off to their best home start since a 13-0 record in the River City back in 2007-08.
"We still had a chance as we played good defense which gave us an opportunity to win the game and it just didn't go our way," Parker said. "During the last 3-4 possessions they made every shot as we didn't make shots. That's basketball."
Parker's team is only 1-5 away from the Alamo City this season and posted its first road victory at Orlando on Wednesday. It will play two straight and five of the next six games away from the AT&T Center.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Antonio and Houston have split two meetings already this season, with each team holding ground as the host. The Spurs have lost six of their last nine games at the Rockets.