Rockets, Spurs square off in Texas showdown

There's usually little need to try to create hype for one of the Texas Showdown games between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, but this year the rivalry, if possible, has become even more heated because of the lofty position among the top teams in the NBA.

The Rockets and Spurs meet for the fourth time this season on Monday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio in a game between the squads with the second- and third-best records in the NBA and the Western Conference.

The Spurs (48-13) have a five-game lead on the Rockets in the standings and, after having won seven straight games, are taking aim at the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the NBA.

San Antonio beat Minnesota 97-90 in overtime on Saturday after defeating New Orleans 100-97 in overtime on Friday, marking the first time since 2005 that the Spurs have played and won back-to-back overtime games.

"We don't give in, I guess," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Saturday after San Antonio's third straight close victory. "We are realizing more and more that these games are 48 minutes and that you don't have to panic -- you just keep on playing."

Kawhi Leonard continues to carry a full load for San Antonio on the offensive and defensive ends. There's little doubt that the effort has been wearing on him.

Leonard looked worn down after Saturday's win -- a game in which he scored 34 points, including six of the Spurs' 14 in overtime -- but understands his role and accepts the burden.

"I work all summer and throughout the whole season being mentally prepared for the challenges I have to face," Leonard said. "You've just got to keep going. If you play bad, go 0 and 10 in the fourth, or whatever, you've just got to keep pounding, just keep going, going, and not give up if you want to become that guy."

As important as Leonard is to the Spurs, James Harden is equally as vital to Houston's success. The Rockets (44-19) head to the Alamo City on the heels of a 123-109 win over Memphis on Saturday in which Harden had 33 points and 11 assists. Houston has won two straight game and four of its past five outings.

The double-double on Saturday was Harden's league-leading 49th of the season. It was his 20th 30-point, 10-assist game of the year. Harden had 21 such games in his career before 2016-17.

It wasn't until Harden caught fire that the Rockets gained separation, yet Harden didn't view his explosion as anything extraordinary.

"Score the basketball and be aggressive," Harden said matter-of-factly when asked what inspired his surge. "That's what I've been doing."

When Memphis pulled within 57-55 with 10:30 remaining in the third quarter, Harden delivered four free throws, a transition 3-pointer, and two additional treys before a transition dunk provided Houston the working margin its labored to build.

Once Harden helped build the advantage to double digits, Memphis got no closer than eight points the rest of the game.

"He just has to read the game," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said of Harden. "He does it great. He got off in the third quarter. We had 38 points in that quarter and he was huge."

The Spurs have won two of the three games against Houston this season, with each team winning on the road.