Rockets battle late, can't keep up with DeRozan, Spurs

Photo courtesy of Michael Wyke

The first of what's going to be a stretch of games without Christian Wood didn't get off to an ideal start.

Despite keeping the game close late, the Houston Rockets dropped a nail-biter to the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 111-106, dropping the Rockets back to .500.

It was a back-and-forth affair throughout the evening. San Antonio led for most of the contest, but Houston would claw their way back every so often with quick spurts of offense, usually coming by way of John Wall.

Wall, co-leading the offense with backcourt mate Victor Oladipo, shined offensively. He finished the evening with 27 points and seven assists, thoroughly controlling the offense and getting to his spots.

Unfortunately, Oladipo had a night to forget on offense. He only managed four made baskets for a meager nine points in the loss.

Even so, key contributions came from multiple other sources. Off the bench, Eric Gordon had the team's second highest point total with 26 points, while also snagging seven rebounds. David Nwaba, in his first game since suffering an ankle injury at the end of January, went for 14 points on 6-7 shooting.

DeMarcus Cousins, subbing in for the injured Wood, went for 12 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.

Houston managed to take a two-point lead with just about three and a half minutes remaining in the contest, but it would be all Spurs from then on. San Antonio would go on a 13-6 run to end the game, with DeMar DeRozan accounting for seven of those points, including a clutch and-one bucket in the final minute. DeRozan would finish with 30 points overall.

Houston wouldn't be able to recover, and would lose the lead and eventually the game.

The Rockets go to 11-11 with the loss, and are going to look to get more production from other sources with Christian Wood out with injury for what looks to be a few weeks. They'll look to get back on track against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM CT.