The San Antonio Spurs rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets 112‑98 on Jan. 28, 2026, securing a vital home‑court advantage for the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The win pushes the Spurs to 31‑20, keeping them within two games of the West’s No. 3 seed and reinforcing their playoff push.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The Rockets started strong, building a 15‑point lead midway through the first quarter thanks to an early three‑pointer from Jae Sampson and aggressive rebounding by Alper Yıldırım. The Spurs answered with veteran forward Marcus Lee and sophomore guard Kellan Morris, trimming the deficit to three points (54‑51) by halftime.
Defensive Stalemate in the Third Quarter
Both teams entered the third quarter with elite defensive ratings—San Antonio ranked fourth in the league for points allowed per 100 possessions, while Houston sat seventh. The quarter remained low‑scoring, keeping the total under the projected 215 points.
Fourth‑Quarter Surge
San Antonio seized control with a 20‑5 run, highlighted by a clutch three‑pointer from rookie sharpshooter Diego Cruz and a series of forced turnovers that led to fast‑break points. Marcus Lee finished with a game‑high 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Kellan Morris added 12 assists, orchestrating the offense with precision.
Spurs’ Season Context
After missing the 2025 playoffs with a 38‑44 record, the Spurs overhauled their roster this offseason. Head coach Gregg Popovich retained his core philosophy while integrating a faster, pace‑and‑space offense. The addition of former All‑Star Marcus Lee and the rapid development of Kellan Morris, who averaged 15.2 points per game early in the season, have transformed San Antonio into a legitimate contender.
Playoff Implications
The victory improves the Spurs to 31‑20, tightening the race for the West’s top three seeds. With the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets still battling for the No. 2 spot, San Antonio remains within two games of the No. 3 seed, which guarantees home‑court advantage throughout the first round. Maintaining this trajectory could see the Spurs finish the regular season with the league’s second‑best home record, a significant edge given the NBA’s historical trend of home teams winning 60% of playoff games.
For the Rockets, the loss drops them to 15‑36, widening the gap to the play‑in line. Forward Jae Sampson’s 22 points showed promise, but the team’s inability to close out games underscores the urgency for further roster adjustments before the trade deadline.
Betting Takeaways
Betting markets responded to the Spurs’ momentum, tightening the spread from -4.5 to -5.5 in the hours before tip‑off. Prop bets on Lee’s points over 25.5 and Morris’s assists over 10.5 both hit, rewarding sharp bettors. The total points line, set at 215.5, fell short as the final 210 points kept the “under” bet alive, highlighting the defensive nature of the contest.
Looking Ahead
The Spurs will return home for a crucial matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, a game that could further cement their status as a top‑seed contender. Meanwhile, the Rockets head to Los Angeles for a back‑to‑back road trip, where they must regroup quickly if they hope to keep any postseason aspirations alive.
