Larry Hartstein and are in agreement that the Rockets are going to be better via addition by subtraction of malcontent James Harden, but I just don't think that happens tonight because obviously Houston is down Harden, the key player they got back for him in Victor Oladipo as well as injured John Wall and Eric Gordon, plus glue-guy starter Danuel House in the health protocols. San Antonio, meanwhile, will have DeMar DeRozan after he missed the past couple of games for personal reasons. The Spurs are 3-0-1 ATS in the past four meetings.

This is the Spurs' first home game after a long, successful road trip that saw them go 4-1. They could be flat tonight as they likely get back their leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, while the Rockets visit without James Harden or John Wall. San Antonio thrives in the underdog role, but is 7-21 ATS in its last 28 as a home favorite. Look for Christian Wood and Eric Gordon to go off as Houston keeps it close.