GAME THREAD: NBA: HOUSTON (6-3) at SAN ANTONIO (7-2)

NBA: HOUSTON (6-3) at SAN ANTONIO (7-2)

<h3>Spurs look bounce back against shorthanded Rockets</h3>

<div class="pre">Houston (6-3) at San Antonio (7-1) 8:00 pm EST</div>

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) - The San Antonio Spurs wereuncharacteristically porous on defense in their loss to theDallas Mavericks on Thursday. They figure to bounce back a daylater against the Houston Rockets, especially if Tracy McGradyis not around.


The Spurs look rebound from their loss to the Mavericks whenthey return home Friday to host the Rockets, who likely will bewithout McGrady.


One of the NBA's top defensive teams for the last decade, SanAntonio looked lost defensively in the first half of Thursday's105-92 loss at Dallas.


In allowing over 100 points for just the second time thiscampaign, the Spurs allowed season-highs of 59 points in thefirst half and 33 points in the opening quarter.


Tim Duncan scored 24 points for the Spurs, who had theirfour-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the secondtime this season.


San Antonio's other loss was an 89-81 setback November 6 atHouston, a game in which McGrady scored just 12 points on4-of-14 shooting. The reigning NBA champion Spurs had troublecontaining Houston's All-Star center Yao Ming, who had 28 pointsand 13 rebounds in the contest.


Yao likely will need to have another big performance Fridaywithout McGrady, who is nursing a sprained elbow and is listedas day-to-day. The NBA's third-leading scorer, McGrady will besidelined up to a week, according to various reports.

McGrady suffered the injury during Wednesday night's 93-90 lossto the Los Angeles Lakers. The seven-time All-Star underwent anMRI which revealed no tendon or ligament damage.


The Rockets have won three of their last four meetings with theSpurs.

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">HOUSTON AT SAN ANTONIO - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


HOUSTON SAN ANTONIO

F Shane Battier F Bruce Bowen
F Chuck Hayes F Tim Duncan
C Yao Ming C Fabricio Oberto
G Bonzi Wells G Michael Finley
G Rafer Alston G Tony Parker

OFFICIALS: Dan Crawford
James Capers
John Goble</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">HOUSTON VS SAN ANTONIO - INACTIVES

HOUSTON SAN ANTONIO

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T MCGRADY ARM INJURY R HORRY COACH'S DECISION
A BROOKS COACH'S DECISION I MAHINMI COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 4
SAN ANTONIO 4 8:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 13
SAN ANTONIO 11 6:07 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 19
SAN ANTONIO 19 2:52 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 24
SAN ANTONIO 25 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 24
SAN ANTONIO 25 25 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

HOU - SHANE BATTIER 5, CHUCK HAYES 4, LUIS
SCOLA 4
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 14, MANU GINOBILI 4, BRUCE
BOWEN 3</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 28
SAN ANTONIO 28 8:50 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 34
SAN ANTONIO 31 6:04 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 42
SAN ANTONIO 36 3:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 46
SAN ANTONIO 49 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 22 46
SAN ANTONIO 25 24 49 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

HOU - LUIS SCOLA 12, SHANE BATTIER 9, MIKE
JAMES 8
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 20, MICHAEL FINLEY 15, MANU
GINOBILI 7</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 53
SAN ANTONIO 58 8:36 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 53
SAN ANTONIO 59 5:49 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 60
SAN ANTONIO 61 3:03 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 64
SAN ANTONIO 69 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 22 18 64
SAN ANTONIO 25 24 20 69 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

HOU - SHANE BATTIER 16, LUIS SCOLA 16, MIKE
JAMES 10
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 25, MICHAEL FINLEY 15, MANU
GINOBILI 13</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 70
SAN ANTONIO 78 9:05 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 76
SAN ANTONIO 78 5:38 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>