Enemy Intel is a new feature here on SpursDynasty.com. After each Spurs game, and occasionally beforehand, we’ll sum up what intelligent things bloggers for the opponents are saying about our San Antonio Spurs.
The Rockets blogosphere, much like the team, appears to be in decline. As far as I can tell, most Rockets blogs are poorly designed and infrequently updated. (As evidence, check out HoustonRocketNews.com and RocketsNation.com.) That being said…
Tom Martin writes for thedreamshake.com (“Parker Proves Too Much For Rockets As Spurs Steal 101-96 OT Win“):
Give the San Antonio Spurs credit for getting the most out of their greatest asset: Defense. The Spurs — unable to rely on Tim Duncan for much of anything down the stretch — put the clamps on the Rockets when it mattered most and emerged with a 101-95 victory. They forced Houston to take silly shots down the stretch, perhaps a byproduct of a young Rockets team playing its collective heart out.
Tony Parker led the way for San Antonio with 28 points. Were it not for Goran Dragic’s suffocating defense towards the end, Parker could have finished with 40 points instead. Elsewhere, the Spurs benefitted from a balanced bench effort and a solid 11/8 performance from rookie Kawhi Leonard.
If you’re looking to blame the referees, you’ve got some ammunition. The Rockets couldn’t buy a call in the lane and the Spurs doubled Houston’s foul count. At the same time, I thought the Spurs played very smart interior defense and gave the refs a reason to hold the whistle.
