The Houston Rockets (1-1) visit the San Antonio Spurs (0-1) on NBA Saturday, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. from San Antonio, Texas. The game is airing live on AT&T Sportsnet Southwest and streaming on YouTube TV and other streaming apps.
The Rockets are 1.5-point favorites over the Spurs on the spread (Rockets -1.5), with the over/under currently at 224.5 points. Houston is -130 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while San Antonio is +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Rockets vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, October 26.
Rockets vs. Spurs Prediction
My pick: Rockets -1.5 (-115)
Houston has significant defensive and depth advantages, while Alperen Sengun's offensive craftiness will likely give Victor Wembanyama trouble. The Spurs are also missing two crucial players in Devin Vassell and Tre Jones.
For all of your NBA bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs. Spurs Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 224.5 -110 / -110 | -130 |
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 224.5 -110 / -110 | +110 |
- Rockets vs. Spurs spread: Rockets -2
- Rockets vs. Spurs over/under: 224.5 points
- Rockets vs. Spurs moneyline: Rockets -130, Spurs +110
- Rockets vs. Spurs best bet: Rockets -1.5 (-115)
Spread
Houston is favored by about a bucket, so it's expected to be a tight contest.
Moneyline
According to San Antonio's implied probability, they have a 46.3% chance to pull off the upset.
Over/Under
The 223.5 total is in the middle of the pack for this monster 10-game NBA slate.
My pick: Rockets -1.5 (-115)
Rockets vs. Spurs Betting Trends to Know
- 59% of bets and 67% of the money are on the Rockets to cover the spread.
- 89% of bets and 90% of the money are on the over.
- 62% of bets and 57% of the money on the moneyline are on the Rockets to win.
Rockets vs. Spurs Start Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas |
| Date: | Saturday, October 26 |
| Kickoff Time: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | AT&T Sportsnet Southwest / Streaming on NBA League Pass |
Spurs vs. Rockets is scheduled for a 8:30 p.m. ET start time, live from Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas on Saturday. The game is live on AT&T Sportsnet Southwest and is streaming on NBA League Pass.
Rockets vs. Spurs NBA Preview
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets face-planted in their season opener against Charlotte but responded by decimating Memphis. They enter this second night of a back-to-back with plenty of momentum.
When looking at the big picture, Houston finds themselves in an interesting position. They won 41 games last season and are currently devoting key minutes to veterans like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and eventually Steven Adams.
On the other hand, the Rockets have a stockpile of former top prospects and need to develop the future stars while weeding out the weaker options. This process requires a large amount of minutes and tolerance for mistakes.
Will Houston remain patient and see what they actually have on the roster before making irreversible transactions? If Alperen Sengun produces All-NBA caliber numbers, then the Rockets could win a lot of games when factoring in their defense and incredible depth. The front office may subsequently hear the siren call and be tempted to put some chips into the pot.
San Antonio Spurs
Although fans will want to immediately see Victor Wembanyama take the playoffs by storm, it’s still another year for development. Rookie Stephon Castle was a bright spot in their season opener versus Dallas, and Julian Champagnie may be a quality wing hiding in plain sight.
Wembanyama’s shot selection and defensive positioning were disappointing though. He’s settling for too many jumpers instead of using his freakish length and athleticism to attack the basket. Wemby should take some notes from Giannis Antetokounmpo and not Kevin Durant – at least until the jump shot starts to fall at an elite rate.
That’s why the Spurs brought in seasoned vets like Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. They can teach this young roster how to be professionals and give them trade secrets.
Being patient this season and not caring about wins or losses is a great long-term decision because the 2025 NBA Draft is loaded with potential superstars. San Antonio could snag two of them via their own pick and Atlanta’s first rounder.
Rockets vs. Spurs
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Spurs lack two crucial pieces here: Devin Vassell and Tre Jones. In other words, their second best scorer and backup point guard. They only managed 109 points against Dallas despite Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie, and Jeremy Sochan combining to shoot 20-of-33 from the field.
Overall, I predict the Spurs to struggle against a tough Rockets defense that possesses lengthy forwards.
