Tonight’s nationally televised game between the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets was supposed to be an early season test for the 5-0 Rockets, whose record has been padded thanks to matchups against the dregs of the NBA. The Rockets did, however, post a very impressive win over Miami on Tuesday night, but a showdown with the defending champs — and division rival, to boot — would introduce more solid evidence into the “pretender” vs. “contender” debate. Well, so much for that:
No Belinelli (mild groin strain), Duncan (rest), Ginobili (rest), Mills (right shoulder) or Splitter (tightness right calf) v. HOU today.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) November 6, 2014
Classic Pop. Pulling the ol’ “sit my best players for a nationally televised game and dare someone to do anything about it” move, right? Not really. This is just Coach Pop planning for the future again. After only playing two games before last night’s win over Atlanta, tonight’s game against Houston is the second in a 3-in-4 night span. The Spurs follow that up with a 4-in-5 night stretch next week, and won’t have a two-day break until Thanksgiving week. Remember, this is the same guy who didn’t have a single player average more than 30 minutes per game last season. Coach Pop, playing chess forever.
