The Houston Rockets begin the final multi-game homestand of their 2021-22 season when in-state rival San Antonio comes to town on Monday night. It’s the first of four straight games at Toyota Center.
On paper, the Spurs and legendary veteran coach Gregg Popovich clearly have more incentive. San Antonio enters with three straight wins and is only a game back of the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings, which qualifies a team for the postseason play-in tournament.
Houston, by contrast, has one of the league’s worst records. With the 2022 playoffs already off the table for the Rockets, there’s arguably more to be gained from losing and improving 2022 NBA draft lottery odds.
