A Texas derby between two sides who have started the season on different footing. San Antonio’s three-point guard experiment flopped, and Victor Wembanyama was unable to make his mark on offence. Houston Rockets, meanwhile, have shown a renewed version with more offensive firepower than last season. This will be the first big test they face this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Date:<\/strong> 23 October 2026, early hours of 24 October European time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time<\/strong>: These are the start times for Spurs vs Rockets by time zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Venue<\/strong>: Moody Center, Austin (Texas)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until Tobias Harris returns, the Spurs start with three guards, Vassell and the alien. Houston continues with its trusted starting five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tighter than one might have thought just a few days ago. Especially until San Antonio manages to fit the pieces together, if it does. Even so, the Spurs should be favourites, if only because of Wembanyama’s desire to prove that the first meeting was a mere slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They come off a tough night against Oklahoma. Mitch Johnson has decided not to overcomplicate the backcourt pecking order and has placed three of his best four players in the starting lineup despite them sharing a position. Fox, Castle and Harper occupied similar areas and clogged the attack due to their lack of outside shooting. That pushed Wemby far away from the basket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Alamo side must find balance in their rotations to freshen up their attack, because on defence they are going to be a meat grinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A very disappointing start on offence, while on the other end he remains the best in the world by several body lengths. Victor Wembanyama cannot live nine metres from the basket and take his first shot in the restricted area in the last quarter. That falls on him personally, but also on a game plan that failed to get him to the area where he dominates most. Houston is also a physical team that can push him outside. It is his teammates who must get him back into the paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUK, Ireland<\/td> 02:30<\/td><\/tr> Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela<\/td> 21:30<\/td><\/tr> Mexico (central), USA (Texas and Chicago), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua<\/td> 19:30<\/td><\/tr> Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles)<\/td> 17:30<\/td><\/tr> Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay<\/td> 22:30<\/td><\/tr> Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama<\/td> 20:30<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Spurs vs Rockets starting lineups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SPURS<\/strong><\/td> ROCKETS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> De’Aaron Fox<\/td> Fred VanVleet<\/td><\/tr> Stephon Castle<\/td> Amen Thompson<\/td><\/tr> Dylan Harper<\/td> Kevin Durant<\/td><\/tr> Devin Vassell<\/td> Jabari Smith Jr.<\/td><\/tr> Victor Wembanyama<\/td> Alperen Sengun<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Spurs vs Rockets: best bet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spurs latest news: injuries and form<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Player to watch: Victor Wembanyama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n