When it comes to the Western Conference, everyone is chasing the Golden State Warriors. The team has proven they are the best in the league and the ones to beat to get anywhere near the playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets are hoping to be two teams that can help upset the Warriors at some point this season and contend for the playoffs. However, first they will face off on Christmas Day.
The Houston Rockets are not where they want to be. Consistency has been a huge issue for the team and now trade rumors are surfacing. The team is dealing with reported unhappiness with Dwight Howard along with trade talk around Terrence Jones and Ty Lawson. The Rockets are looking for some help to get in the right direction and the trade deadline could be where they find the shakeup needed. However, until then they need to improve with what they have as they prepare to face the Spurs.
The Rockets have turned things around since JB Bickerstaff got promoted to head coach. They sit at .500 and have just three losses in 19 games under the new coaching staff. They are hoping that progress continues against a Spurs team they have traditionally struggled against. The team snapped a three-game win streak with a loss to the Orlando Magic. James Harden had 31 points, it simply was not enough for the team that fell too far behind too early. They need Dwight Howard to improve as well as the team's major stars have been struggling.
For the San Antonio Spurs, this season has been business as usual and while they do not have the record of the Warriors, the team is one to beat in order to contend for the conference title. The Spurs have been thriving on their defense recently. They have allowed just 88 points per game while their offense averages 102.4 points per game. That is not a bad combo. Kawhi Leonard has been a big part of that as the forward continues to be one of the best lock-down defenders. He is also thriving on offense as a real x-factor for the Spurs.
San Antonio might not be as flashy as the Golden State Warriors, but they are still a team to reckon with in the Western Conference. They have proven that time and time again as they prepare to face off against a Houston Rockets team still searching for their momentum.
