HOUSTON – In one corner of the Toyota Center locker room Friday, a Spurs assistant had Patty Mills cornered, going over film on a laptop.
In other, a different assistant hauled out an old-fashioned grease board, drawing up sets for Rudy Gay.
In front of the room, a TV screen rolled footage of the Houston Rockets' win over Charlotte two nights earlier.
In the end, no amount of prep work could ready the Spurs for the 124-109 beating they were about to take from the Chris Paul-infused Rockets.
"They're a monster," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "No doubt about it."
If the pregame scene in the Spurs' dressing room reminded of a team cramming for a final, it wasn't.
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What happened Friday in Houston was only a practice test, the Spurs' first look at these Rockets with their All-Star backcourt intact.
With Paul and James Harden each supplying 28 points, the Rockets went characteristically ballistic from 3-point range to win their 12th straight game. They have not lost since Paul came off the injured list Nov. 16.
They are 13-0 this season with their keynote summertime addition in uniform.
When the Rockets acquired Paul from the L.A. Clippers in June, some observers whether he could mesh with Harden, another ball-dominant superstar.
"Well they were wrong, whoever those guys are," Popovich said of the naysayers. "Those are two of the best players in the league. You're not going to find a better leader and tougher competitor than Chris Paul. Nobody can guard James Harden. That's a good problem."
Express-News Spurs reporter Jabari Young and Jeff McDonald recap the Spurs’ 124-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Media: Jabari YoungThe Rockets (23-4) burst out to a 31-16 lead after the first quarter, doing what they do. They earned an 18-0 edge from the 3-point stripe and a 9-0 edge from the foul line.
By half, the Rockets' lead had swelled to 60-43. They had made 11 of 27 3-point attempts.
So far, the experiment is working. Houston looks to be a better version of the team that pushed the Spurs in last year's second round before fizzling in Game 6.
Houston had six players in double figures Friday, dumping more points on the Spurs than any other opponent this season. The Rockets were 18 of 50 from 3-point land.
Paul, meanwhile, was magnificent, adding five 3-pointers, eight assists and seven steals to his box score.
"They're just playing at a high level early," said Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, whose team dropped to 19-10. "Obviously the best player is doing a great job, James, by getting everybody involved and scoring the ball. He has help now with Chris Paul. They are on a run right now."
The Spurs are in a different situation.
They played the first 19 games of the season without starting point guard Tony Parker. They played the first 27 without Leonard, their leading scorer and best defender.
Friday marked Leonard's second game back while recuperating from right quadriceps tendinopathy. The Spurs lost them both.
Against Houston, Leonard logged 17 minutes in the first half, scored 17 points for his 110th consecutive game in double figures and did not play after intermission.
In a way, Leonard's return – though obviously welcome – has stalled the Spurs' momentum.
He is on a minutes restriction, which mucks up Popovich's rotation. The Spurs will have to be patient waiting for their best player to get up to speed.
"It's a pain in the ass for everybody," Popovich said. "Rotations are screwed up. If a guy is only going to play so many minutes, do you go to him the whole time to get him going and get him back in the flow? Do you just do what you usually do? It makes it a little bit tough that way."
Before the season is over, the Rockets will probably lose a game with Paul in uniform.
The Spurs will probably win a game or two with Leonard.
Luckily for the Spurs, the true final exam against these Rockets won't come until later, if at all.
"They won't be functioning the way they'll be functioning in a month," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni said. "And it still won't be the same team you'll face in March or April or May."
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
