Spurs vs Rockets Preview: Paul and Wembanyama Aim to Revive Season for First Win, Shenjing Seeks to Lead Team to Consecutive Wins

On October 27, the NBA regular season will see the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Houston Rockets.

The Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama in the draft last season, and he showed signs of growth in the second half of the season. Ultimately, Wembanyama delivered an epic rookie season, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game. During the offseason, the Spurs brought in veteran Chris Paul, which many Spurs fans saw as another step towards the team’s revival. Additionally, the Spurs acquired Harrison Barnes through a three-team trade and selected the promising prospect Kaycee Castle with the fourth pick.

However, in their first game of the season, the Spurs lost 109-120 to the Dallas Mavericks, who reached the Finals last season. Wembanyama shot 5-for-18, and Paul was 1-for-6, leading to a significant defeat. The loss in the first game made many Spurs fans realize that a single Chris Paul is not enough to quickly revive the team, and there is still a long road ahead. On a positive note, the Spurs recorded 30 assists, more than their opponent. Now, the team needs to improve their shooting accuracy.

The Rockets had a strong chance of making the playoffs last season but ultimately finished 11th in the Western Conference, missing the play-in tournament. During the offseason, the Rockets used the third overall pick to select Shephard, who has shown promise. Before the season began, the Rockets also extended contracts with core players Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green, signaling the direction of the team’s future. However, there have been some discordant notes, such as Whitmore unfollowing the team’s account, which has raised speculation.

In their first two games of the season, the Rockets went 1-1, losing to the Charlotte Hornets and then defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 128-108. In the game against the Grizzlies, seven players scored in double digits, with Şengün recording 16 points and 15 rebounds, Jalen Green scoring 22 points and 6 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. contributing 14 points and 16 rebounds. The Rockets dominated the boards 64-43, which was key to their victory. From the game against the Grizzlies, it’s clear that the Rockets have a potent offense.

In this matchup between the Spurs and Rockets, the Spurs will be aiming for their first win of the season at home. Paul, facing his former team, will likely be highly motivated given past rivalries. Wembanyama will also be eager to bounce back from his poor performance in the first game. For the Rockets, their morale has clearly been boosted by their victory over the Grizzlies. As longtime rivals in the Southwest Division, this game between the Spurs and Rockets is sure to be a thrilling one.

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