LaMarcus Aldridge, Spurs Snap James Harden, Rockets' 11-Game Winning Streak
The Houston Rockets' latest double-digit winning streak is over.
LaMarcus Aldridge had a double-double and Rudy Gay added 21 points off the bench as the San Antonio Spurs earned a 100-83 win over the Rockets on Sunday. Houston had won its previous 11 games, its third streak of at least that length this season.
The Spurs entered Sunday listening to more questions about the status of star forward Kawhi Leonard, who returned to New York to undergo further evaluation on his injured quad. Leonard has no timetable for his return and has played only nine games this season despite being cleared by team doctors.
Houston's 83 points are a season low, as are its seven three pointers. The Rockets shot 33.8 percent from the floor overall and had just one player (Tarik Black, who shot twice) make at least half of his attempts. James Harden had 25 points and eight assists, but the Rockets were outscored by 19 points when he was on the floor.
Chris Paul missed his fifth game in the last six contests because of a leg injury.
Aldridge, who has been stellar keeping the Spurs' playoff hopes alive despite Leonard's absence, had 23 points and 14 rebounds. He's scored at least 20 points in nine of his last 10 games and has been a rock of consistency for head coach Gregg Popovich. If his March averages carry over into the final stretch of the season, it's possible Aldridge will set a career high in points scored.
Gay made nine of his 13 shots in one of his finest games since joining the Spurs. The veteran forward had not scored 20 points in a game since a Dec. 12 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Patty Mills (14 points), Dejounte Murray (13 points) and Danny Green (12 points) were also in double figures for San Antonio, which won despite making just six threes. The Spurs did not trail at any point after the five-minute mark of the first quarter.
Eric Gordon (18 points), Clint Capela (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Gerald Green (11 points) rounded out the double-figure scorers for Houston. Head coach Mike D'Antoni and Co. can somewhat go into coast mode over the next couple of weeks, having already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference on Thursday.
The Rockets (62-15) have already set a single-season franchise record for wins and have home-court advantage through the playoffs. They host the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center on Tuesday.
The Spurs have given themselves pole position in the West's race for the No. 4 seed. They're a game clear of the four-team gaggle fighting in the bottom half of the conference. The Los Angeles Clippers, who are sitting on the outside of the playoffs in the 10th seed, will try to get a critical win against San Antonio at Staples Center on Tuesday.
