The Spurs aren’t out of it yet.
Keldon Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio kept alive its chances of becoming the first team in NBA history to make 23 consecutive playoff appearances with a 123-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
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The Spurs aren’t out of it yet.
DeMar DeRozan added 23 points. Jakob Poeltl finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Russell Westbrook had 20 points and seven turnovers in his first game back in the lineup for Houston after missing two games with a bruised right quadriceps. Jeff Green had 17 points. Ben McLemore added 16.
San Antonio built a 19-point lead in the first half. DeRozan set the tone with 15 points in the opening 24 minutes, with Lonnie Waker IV, Poeltl and Johnson each scoring 10.
Spurs: Patty Mills (rest) missed his third straight game.
“Part of it is you have to be realistic,” Popovich said. “I don’t think our chances of winning the championship were great at the beginning of this, nor are they now. If that’s a fact, then you need to do everything you can to develop and be prepared for next season.
“We’ve already accomplished what we thought we were capable of accomplishing, that’s what’s important. If we got in now it would be icing on the cake.”
Spurs: Conclude their seeding schedule Thursday against Utah.
Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers (25) drives to the basket while San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (25) and forward DeMar DeRozan (10) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
San Antonio has won three straight and five out of seven since arriving in the Florida bubble.
Houston Rockets forward Ben McLemore, left, fouls San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan, right, on a shot attempt during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
DeMar DeRozan added 23 points. Jakob Poeltl finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Western Conference is guaranteed to have a play-in for its final playoff spot, with Memphis beginning the day with just a half-game over Portland and one game ahead of Phoenix and San Antonio.
The Spurs will need help to be one of the teams playing this weekend for the final spot in the Western Conference, but made sure they couldn't be eliminated Tuesday with their win.
San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22), rear, fouls Houston Rockets guard Chris Clemons (3) during the first half of a NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Russell Westbrook had 20 points and seven turnovers in his first game back in the lineup for Houston after missing two games with a bruised right quadriceps. Jeff Green had 17 points. Ben McLemore added 16.
The Rockets played without guards James Harden (rest) and Eric Gordon (ankle).
The Spurs took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Rockets 35-24. San Antonio led by as many as 29 points.
Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a shot past San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
San Antonio built a 19-point lead in the first half. DeRozan set the tone with 15 points in the opening 24 minutes, with Lonnie Waker IV, Poeltl and Johnson each scoring 10.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Went 14 of 48 from the 3-point line. ... Danuel House Jr. sat out with a toe injury.
Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) goes up for a shot while San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22) defends during the first half of a NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Spurs: Patty Mills (rest) missed his third straight game.
WIN-WIN
Regardless of whether the Spurs make the playoffs or not, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is proud of how his young players have stepped up in during their time in the bubble.
San Antonio Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV (1) runs into Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) while attempting a shot, resulting in an offensive foul during the second half of a NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
“Part of it is you have to be realistic,” Popovich said. “I don’t think our chances of winning the championship were great at the beginning of this, nor are they now. If that’s a fact, then you need to do everything you can to develop and be prepared for next season.
“The development has been off the charts. We’re thrilled with it. So it’s a win-win no matter what.”
Popovich said it would be “thrilling” to get some help and have a chance to extend their season, but he’s not using it as a measuring stick for the season.
Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a shot past San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) during the second half of a NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
“We’ve already accomplished what we thought we were capable of accomplishing, that’s what’s important. If we got in now it would be icing on the cake.”
UP NEXT
Rockets: Play Pacers on Wednesday.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) shoots in front of Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Spurs: Conclude their seeding schedule Thursday against Utah.
San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (25) shoots while Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers (25) drives to the basket while San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (25) and forward DeMar DeRozan (10) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)