Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets

San Antonio Spurs @ Houston Rockets

Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
January 21, 2012, 7 P.M. Spurs Time
TV: FSSW - RADIO: WOAI

Tonight's match features two of the traditional power houses of the Southwest Division. The three Texas teams in the division have taken seven of the last sixteen championships. Although none of them are favored to take the ring this year, they are perennial threats. The Houston Rockets look to extend their winning streak to six, while the San Antonio Spurs are seeking to get the bad taste out of their mouths after losing their first game at home against the Sacramento Kings.

Houston is a team on the rise as their team is starting to gel. Although rumors abounded in the beginning of the season with a near trade of their core, Houston has seemingly worked out the kinks in the past few games and rising quickly in the ranks of the Western Conference. Their back court is locked with scoring and free throw shooting machine Kevin Martin, who can always be found at the top when it comes to free throws made and free throw percentage. Kyle Lowry teams up with Martin in the back and has been a great addition to the Rockets at the point guard position. Lowry leads the team in assists and can carry the bulk of team scoring when necessary.

The Rockets front court has been anchored by Luis Scola for a number of years now. The Argentinian is a quiet, versatile player that rebounds well and has nice range for a big man. Scola has had some of pressure taken off of his shoulders by new team mate Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert has brought a missing defensive presence in the paint for Houston ever since they lost their beloved Chinese giant, Yao Ming. Rounding out front court is rookie Chandler Parsons who has been a pleasant surprise for Houston.

San Antonio seeks to overcome a stunning defeat at the hands of the young Sacramento Kings at home. Tony Parker is still being forced to carry the weight of the team as he awaits the return of Spurs shooting guard, Manu Ginoboli. With Manu out, Parker was forced to score and create more. Luckily he was able to get some much needed rest with a quality back up taking over the responsibilities of running the team. Unfortunately, Parker and the Spurs lost that back up, T.J. Ford, to an injury recently. Now the weight of backing up Tony Parker rests on the shoulders of rookie Cory Joseph. Although showing glimpses of possibility the young rookie is not stable enough to trust with the team for any long period of time.

via cdn1.sbnation.com

Center Tiago Splitter has been showing some great moves as of late. His play on both sides of the court has given Spurs fan's hope for a future that marches on beyond the greatness of the big three. Together with some of the other younger players, Green, Blair, Leonard, Neal, Tiago will seek to earn his stripes in a grueling NBA schedule this season. Earning a win in Houston would be a great continuation of maturity for this team.

*Editor's Note: Happy Birthday to our previewer Joe deLarios!!

Lineups Starters PG: Tony Parker SG: Kawhi Leonard SF: Richard Jefferson PF: Tim Duncan C: Dejuan Blair Key Bench Players Gary Neal Tiago Splitter James Anderson			Lineups Starters PG: Kyle Lowry SG: Kevin Martin SF: Chandler Parsons PF: Luis Scola C: Samuel Dalembert Key Bench Players Courtney Lee Patrick Patterson Goran Dragic

NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Houston Rockets perspective can be found here: The Dream Shake

As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.