Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs game preview

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 8: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 8, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs will do anything to fly under the radar. First, they bribed The Athletic to rank them lower than anyone expected them to finish.

We're not falling for this. The Spurs paid The Athletic so that they could start a "Nobody believes in us" thing.

No rational basketball fan thinks the Spurs are the fifth-best team in the NBA. They are not flying under the radar. We all expect them to win the title. Nice try. https://t.co/gz30HZooio

— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) October 20, 2026

Then they lost their opening game of the season at home to further throw us off the scent.

The Spurs have grown accustomed to being the snake in the grass. They just hang around until you look up and they’ve consumed all the wild rodents and they’re a juggernaut. That was a strategy that worked to perfection in the aughts and earl ‘10s. They spent all season just mind their own business until the Rodeo Road Trip, where they would go on a run (always against subpar Eastern Conference teams) and ramp up in anticipation of the playoffs.

The problem is that the league wants the Spurs front and center. This isn’t your “Pop never says anything and Tim Duncan makes Sydney Sweeney look like someone who can emote” Spurs. This is Victor Wembanyama! This is Dylan Harper! This is Stephon Castle! They can’t hide because everyone wants to see them.

So no, they are not and cannot fly under the radar. Barring health issues for Wemby, they’re going to be a popular preseason pick to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the next ten years. At +300, they’re the second-biggest favorites to win it all this season, at what amounts to a 25% chance. OKC is sitting at just under 30%, for reference. Except the Spurs got better and the Thunder traded away three key pieces. And the Spurs beat OKC last season, including Game 7 in OKC. So anyway, here’s “Wonderwall” they’re my pick to win it all next June.

8:30pm CT

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Steven Adams: GTD

Reed Sheppard: GTD

De’Aaron Fox: GTD

Keldon Johnson: GTD

Tobias Harris: OUT

SA -5.5

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Rockets: 0

Opponents: 1

Tomorrow night in Atlanta against the Hawks