Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs game 4 preview

Welp, there goes the dream of winning this series in 6. Not that I’ve ever budged from “Spurs in 5.”

Houston now has to win three of the final four games of the series. That means one more win in San Antonio as well as taking care of business in both remaining Houston games.

That all starts tonight. A win gives Houston a glimmer of hope, but a loss effectively ends the series. Sure, there’s been a recent spat of teams coming back from a 3-1 deficit, but it’s hard to see the Rockets turning a series around against a team as great as the Spurs.

The biggest adjustment for Houston will have to be to attack the basket. The Spurs have decided to stay off Harden in hopes of not picking up needless three-shot fouls. And the Spurs defenders are staying home on Rockets shooters. So Harden has to keep attacking to bring those defenders in. Once he does so, that will open up the passing lanes for shooters. And they have to make shots.

I know. “The Rockets need to make shots” is a radical new tactic.

Prediction: Spurs in 5.

Tip-off is at 8pm CT on TNT.