It’s a do or die battle for the Houston Rockets as they travel across the state of Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs in game 6 of the best of seven NBA Western Conference semi-final series. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 10am AEST.
The first five games have been a back and forth battle between these two teams with four double-digit wins, but game 5 was a close hard fought battle between these two the teams needing overtime to ultimately get the result.
The Spurs suffered what could be a series-changing injury to their star and outside MVP chance Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard sprained his ankle during game 5 and was not available to play in the late stages of the game, missing the entire overtime period.
Missing Kawhi for the late stages of the game didn’t hurt the Spurs in game 5 but without him for an entire game could be more costly given what he brings to the team both on the offensive and defensive end of the court.
The Rockets and their reliance on the three-point shot has helped them throughout these playoffs however as we have seen in previous games when their three-point shot is not falling they are unable to get the points in other means.
James Harden had another triple double in game 5 but it was not enough to power the team to victory in overtime and he struggled in the fourth and overtime period.
Harden had a chance to tie the game for the Spurs at the end of overtime but his shot was ultimately blocked by Manu Ginobili.
If Kawhi Leonard is unable to suit up San Antonio may require a big game from LaMarcus Aldridge who has really struggled to make a mark in the playoffs so far.
If he can get going it will not only boost the Spurs’ chances of getting the win over Houston but give him some more confidence which will be vital for the Western Conference finals if they are able to make it that far.
Houston will need to see an improvement from Lou Williams and Eric Gordon who both struggled to make a mark in game 5 going a combined 1/11 from the three-point line, this Rockets team is built around the three-point shot and when one or two of those players are struggling it can prove costly for the team, which it ultimately did in game 5.
Another point the Rockets will need to work on is to minimise their turnovers – they finished with 16 for the game and a key steal late in the fourth gave the Spurs the chance to tie up the game and force the overtime.
Prediction
With Kawhi Leonard hobbled by injury the Rockets have a big chance to jump the Spurs and even up this series, the Rockets will not have another bad shooting game like they did in game 5 and knowing it is a do or die game for them they should be able to do enough to get the win.
Rockets by 11 points.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 10am AEST.
Follow Sam on Twitter @postgamesport
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
San Antonio Closes out Houston in game 6 with a big win. The San Antonio Spurs are going to another Western Conference Finals after a big 39 point win over the Houston Rockets. The Spurs controlled the game from start to finish to cruise to a 114- 75 win. The Spurs started the game strongly through LaMarcus Aldridge who got going early and never looked back scoring a season high 34 points. San Antonio was without MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard who was ruled out earlier in the day with an ankle sprain. Houston would have considered themselves strong favourites with the news of Kawhi Leonard missing but it didn't show at all. The Rockets went down by 7 points early and just struggled to get any sort of offensive rhythm going. Houston committed early turnovers with James Harden had 4 in the first quarter alone, not only was he turning the ball over but he was timid on the offensive end choosing to pass the ball up instead of taking shots. Clint Capela of the Rockets was giving his best to will the Rockets but it was a one man effort that ultimately fell short. The 2nd quarter was much the same as the first with the Rockets struggling to get going while the Spurs kept up the scoring pressure. San Antonio's big men gave the Rockets trouble throughout and dominated on the boards, the Rockets continued to use their smaller lineup against the Spurs but when they were out sized and out muscled time and time again it proved the game plan was not going to work. The 3rd quarter was the closest quarter of the game with the Rockets losing the quarter by 4 points but any chance of a comeback at that point looked out of the question. The Rockets again tried to live by the 3 point shot but they again struggled to convert them, Trevor Ariza did try and help Clint Capela out by scoring 5 3's but without James Harden, Eric Gordon, or Lou Williams firing for them they had no offensive game. The fourth quarter was a one team show as Houston had almost given up completely by the time it started. James Harden fouled out late in the 4th and that is when Mike D'Antoni decided to wave the white flag for Houston. A playoff series that offered so much at the start ended in a whimper for Houston. San Antonio had an all round scoring game with LaMarcus Aldridge getting help from Jonathon Simmons in his first playoff start scoring 18 points, Paddy Mills chipped in 14 of his own and 3 other players had double digits for the Spurs. The Rockets now have the off season to work out what went wrong this season after a fantastic season ended in what was an abysmal showing in game 6. San Antonio now have a few days break before needing to face the title favourite Golden State Warriors. San Antonio Clinch 7 game series 4-2. Leading Scorers. L. Aldridge - SA 34 PTS 16/26 FG 2/2FT T. Ariza - Hou 20 PTS 6/12 FG 3/3 FT Leading Rebounds L. Aldridge - SA 12 REB 7 DREB 5 OREB C. Capela - Hou 12 REB 9 DREB 3 OREB Leading Assists P. Mills - SA 7 AST 1 TO 27 MIN J. Harden - Hou 7 AST 6TO 37 MIN Team Stats Field Goal % SA 53.1 Hou 28.6 Three Point % SA 22.7 Hou 32.5 Turnovers SA 8 Hou 14 Rebounds SA 60 Hou 37 SA 31 30 26 27 114 H 24 18 22 11 75 Game 1 of the Western Conference finals will begin Monday Australian time, Tune into the Roar to follow the game live.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's about as disappointing as it gets. Cheers for the call Sam.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
That does it for the game and the series. San Antonio run out 39 point winners over the Houston Rockets 114- 75. Full game recap to follow.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Bobby Brown with a 3 to end the game Houston Rockets 75 San Antonio Spurs 114 Game over.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Less than a minute to go and the Spurs are up by 42.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Score to the spurs. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 114 1:27 left in the game
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Dewayne Dedmon with a tip in off the missed shot. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 112 2:27 left in the game
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Davis Betrans shoots free throws and makes 1 Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 110 2:54 left in the game
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's fitting.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
James Harden has fouled out. Fantastic season for him but just not a good game for him today.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah I would be out of there and I'm very much the same as you - don't leave until the final buzzer has sounded. What a pathetic way to end the season.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Dwyane Dedmon at the line shooting free throws. Makes 1 Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 109 3:34 left in the game
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Fans are leaving the Toyota centre in droves right now. Now i am not a fan of leaving games before they are over but this one is pretty much done for the Rockets. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 108 3:44 left in the game
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Aldridge with another basket and he has his season high in points. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 108 4:18 4th quarter
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Simmons with another basket and he is up to 18. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 106 5:04 4th quarter
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Aldridge with an emphatic slam off the missed shot. Time out Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 104 5:43 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Green with a 3 pointer. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 99 6:48 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Ariza scores and is fouled. he makes the free throw. Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 96 7:32 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Murray coming up strong for the Spurs. Houston Rockets 69 San Antonio Spurs 96 7:49 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Eric Gordon hits a 3 for the Rockets and it is back to 25 points. Houston Rockets 69 San Antonio Spurs 94 7:59 4th q