Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs: Live Score, Results and Game Highlights

After four hard-fought quarters, the Spurs pull away with a 114-92 victory, behind an impressive bench performance. The teaam improves to 16-4 as they prepare to face the Charlotte Bobcats on the road tomorrow, while the Rockets record drops to 9-9. They, too, will partake in the second part of a double header tomorrow, facing the Dallas Mavericks at home.

11:03 PM ET

USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets hung around for a while, but at the end the Spurs pulled through with a strong double-digit victory. Here's why they were able to come out on top:

Passing: The San Antonio Spurs finished with a season high 33 assists. Whether it was Tony Parker, Nando De Colo or Boris Diaw, the Spurs found open teammates for easy buckets.

Even when Houston's defense seemed sound at times, the Spurs found holes through beautiful ball movement, leading to uncontested shots—a primary factor in their 55 percent shooting.

Defense: On the stat sheet, the Spurs' defense seems average at best. However, while they did give up 92 points, they did so while forcing 19 turnovers, stealing the ball ten times, and limiting all players not named James Harden to ten or less points.

With a strong defensive game to supplement their offensive prowess, the Spurs deserved every bit of that win.

Bench production: The Spurs' bench continued to play well, dominating the game during the Big Three's absences. Tiago Splitter and Patty Mills led the way with 15 and 12 points respectively, but the rest of the second unit was very productive as well, scoring 59 points in total.

Houston's struggles: Houston, we have a problem. James Harden had a very good game, totaling 29 points on 10 of 16 shooting. However, apart from him, the team struggled excessively, with only two other players scoring in double digits. The Rockets finished with an abysmal 38.9 percent shooting—a percentage that won't win you games no matter who you play.

Game notes: Both DeJuan Blair and Daequan Cook were injured in the fourth quarter of the game. Cook's appeared to be more serious, as he was attended to on-court by medical staff, while Blair was able to hobble to the locker room on his own.

10:43 PM ET

Here are your box scores for tonight. An impressive win for San Antonio.

10:38 PM ET

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

SPURS 114, ROCKETS 92 — FINAL

The Spurs win their seventh home game. Improve their record to 16-4. The Rockets drop to .500 at 9-9. Matt Bonner's dunk is your Play of the Game.

10:35 PM ET

Daequan Cook knocked in the side by his teammate. Currently on the ground with the medical staff by his side. With the rest of the game being meaningless, a tough blow should the injury be significant.

10:31 PM ET

Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Terrence Jones shows off an impressive skillset—the hard dunk, steal, handling, and eventually an assist. He could eventually be a good player for the Rockets, but with so many other good bigs, it will be hard to break the rotation.

10:29 PM ET

SPURS 107 , ROCKETS 78 — 4:46 left in the 4th Quarter

Rockets can fly!

Matt Bonner with the very uncharacteristic slam dunk. Little known fact: he was actually in a dunk contest in his early years.

10:27 PM ET

DeJuan Blair lands awkwardly on Cole Aldrich's foot. Heading into the locker room. With such a bice lead, Pop isn't taking any more chances.

10:24 PM ET

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

DeJuan Blair limping. Wants to stay in, but Pop's trying to take him out. Not the best time for another Spur to get injured, however Stephen Jackson may travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.

10:20 PM ET

He's been on fire from downtown tonight!
Cary Emondson-USA TODAY Sports

SPURS 99 , ROCKETS 70 — 8:11 left in the 4th Quarter

Some nice defense from the Rockets prevent Patty Mills from converting on the fast break. Spurs are two away from the century mark, and even with this much time left, have nearly sealed as win.

10:18 PM ET

Bonner has checked in for the first time and immediately makes a great play on the boards. Coming off of a season high 12 rebounds, could Bonner develop into a threat besides his obvious comfort from downtown?

10:17 PM ET

SPURS 96 , ROCKETS 68 — 10:30 left in the 4th Quarter

Spurs' lineup currently in: Mills, De Colo, Anderson, Blair, Diaw

Pop would ideally use these guys for the rest of the game, giving the stars some rest before tomorrow's away game in Charlotte. As manifested by Mills' threes, the Spurs don't even need the Big Three to dominate. An overall impressive performance from the entire team.

10:12 PM ET

Outside of Harden's 29 points, Houston's only double-digit scorer is Patrick Patterson with 10. Can you imagine where the Rockets would be right now if they hadn't made that trade?

10:11 PM ET

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

SPURS 87, ROCKETS 66 — End of 3rd Quarter

Spurs have built a comfortable lead going into the final quarter. Look for Pop to give his veterans some rest, as he did Wednesday against the Bucks. Hope David Stern doesn't think its a disservice to fans...

10:07 PM ET

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

SPURS 85, ROCKETS 66 — 1:00 left in the 3rd Quarter

Carlos Delfino knocks down two difficult three pointers. Maybe this will give Houston the spark they need to make a comeback.

10:04 PM ET

Spurs with an all-international lineup right now: De Colo, Ginobili, Mills, Splitter, Diaw. The one and only thing that comes to my mind when I see that? Passing.

10:02 PM ET

SPURS 79, ROCKETS 58 — 3:29 left in the 3rd Quarter

A Manu Ginobili defensive stop leads to a great hesitation by Gary Neal for the bucket. Nando De Colo follows up with a three, 13-0 run for an Antonio who have their largest lead of the night.

9:58 PM ET

USA TODAY Sports

SPURS 72, ROCKETS 58 — 5:25 left in the 3rd Quarter

I originally though Gary Neal would be traded, but with the confidence boost he's demonstrated so far this season, he is too valuable to let go.

9:56 PM ET

Rockets have done good job converting Spurs' turnovers into points. They've got 20 off 11 Spurs giveaways.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) December 8, 2012

9:55 PM ET

James Harden with a game-leading 29 points. Parker leads the Spurs with 17. Parker, however, is getting tons of help, whereas Harden has gotten none.

9:53 PM ET

Check out this beautiful move from Gary Neal in the first half. Sums up the Spurs start pretty well.

9:52 PM ET

SPURS 64, ROCKETS 49 — 9:00 left in the 3rd Quarter

Tim Duncan with the beautiful dunk down the lane. Some video of that one should be available soon. WOW!

9:50 PM ET

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Spurs dominate the first half with some nifty passing, primely a crafty outing form guard, Nando De Colo. Now entering the second half, the Spurs look to continue this dominance, while the Rockets look to get something going aside from James Harden.

9:49 PM ET

+/- for the Rockets

Chandler Parsons -13

Patrick Patterson -5

Omer Asik -15

James Harden -7

Jeremy Lin -4

Carlos Delfino -6

Tony Douglas -9

Greg Smith -7

Marcus Morris -1

9:42 PM ET