Inside The Spurs

NBA Preseason: Preview, How to Watch Spurs at Rockets

The San Antonio Spurs are set to go for their final preseason contest of the season, this time facing the Houston Rockets on the road one week before their regular season opener.

Matt Guzman

Mar 12, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) drives to the basket while defended by Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the second half at Frost Bank Center.
Mar 12, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) drives to the basket while defended by Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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As the San Antonio Spurs prepare for their regular season opener next Thursday, they'll get one final tune-up on the road against the Houston Rockets.

Both teams will face each other twice more in the first three games of the regular season, so there will be little to no stakes Thursday evening, especially with a plethora of Spurs resting. That said, it will be a chance for San Antonio to evaluate some of its fringe players one last time.

READ MORE: Gregg Popovich Still Undecided About Spurs' Starting Lineup

The Rockets are mostly healthy, save for Jock Landale, who Coach Ime Udoka said "took a couple of bangs" throughout training camp. That perhaps explains the large spread, as Houston is favored to win by nine points at home.

The Spurs are looking to bounce back from a road loss in Miami after giving up 21 turnovers while the Rockets are hoping to add a third straight win to carry them into the regular season.

That being said, here's what you need to know ahead of the Spurs' final preseason bout:

General Info, How to Watch

  • Date: Thursday, October 17
  • Time: 7 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: NBA League Pass, FOX29
  • Betting Odds via FanDuel
  • Spread: Spurs +9
  • TOTAL: 222.5
  • Money Line: Spurs -270, Rockets -255

Spurs vs. Rockets Injury Report

Houston Rockets

  • C Jock Landale - OUT (rest)

San Antonio Spurs

  • Keldon Johnson - OUT (rest)
  • Chris Paul - OUT (rest)
  • Jeremy Sochan - OUT (rest)
  • Victor Wembanyama - OUT (rest)
  • Devin Vassell - OUT (foot)

Biggest Storyline(s) to Watch

San Antonio's biggest woe against the Heat came in the form of giveaways.

The Spurs turned the ball over 21 times in what ended up being a three-point decision, making is entirely feasible for them to have come away with a win. That'll certainly be the mindset heading into the final preseason game of the season, as they'll look to limit careless mistakes.

David Duke Jr., after missing every other contest of the preseason, is returning to the floor for one game before the regular season, while players like Riley Minix, Malachi Flynn and Brandon Boston Jr. will be vying for one final two-way spot to stick around for what they hope will be the season.

Watching those players go out one more time will be key for the Spurs as they begin to solidify their 18-man regular season roster, which once again makes the end result trivial.

Although, it's always nice to end on a high note.

San Antonio Spurs On Sports Illustrated

Wembanyama Adds 25 Pounds Ahead of 2nd NBA Season with Spurs

Wembanyama is 'Funnier' as Spurs Prepare for New Season

Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Now Set to Join Forces

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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