The Rockets end the preseason with a 22-point win over the Spurs

The Houston Rockets played their final preseason game tonight against the San Antonio Spurs and won 107-129. The starting lineup remained the same as last game, with this season's starting five leading the way tonight. San Antonio was without its star Victor Wembanyama and veteran guard Chris Paul.

“This is a real dress rehearsal,” Dillon Brooks told Vanessa Richardson before the game.

The first substitutions brought in Thompson and Reed Sheppard alongside Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun. However, this didn't last too long as coach Ime Udoka wanted to see the bench in the game. Sheppard, VanVleet, Thompson, Tari Eason and Steven Adams took control late in the first quarter.

What was noticeable was that coach Udoka wanted Thompson and Eason to be on the field together. As long as one of them was in the game, the other was in too. The duo of Thompson and Eason have shown why they have the potential to be among the best defenders in the league. They overwhelmed the Spurs' offense and secured a steal almost immediately when they entered the court together. The two also forced two quick breaks in a row, leading to a dunk from Eason and a three-pointer from Green. This duo can power any team from the floor due to their speed, pace and athleticism.

There has been speculation about Sengun's ability to keep up with the faster players such as Green, Thompson, Whitmore and Eason on the field. The center has done a great job of keeping up with the pace and looks much more agile than in previous years.

Houston ran two plays in the first quarter to allow Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks to take the lead by three. The initial attack featured Smith Jr. hitting the post from the right wing and then racing to the top of the key for an open three-pointer. This distracted the defenders, leaving players in the corners open for a shot. Since Houston has shooters and players who can easily get to the rim, this play is perfect for the team as it gives them multiple opportunities to score.

With the game going for Brooks, Sengun set off-ball screens for Jalen Green and Smith Jr. Sengun then ran to the post while Brooks hit to the top of the three-point line. It allowed Sengun an easy layup and Brooks an open three-pointer.

At the start of the second quarter, Udoka lined up Sheppard, Whitmore, Brooks, Smith Jr. and Sengun and placed an emphasis on making plays to give Smith Jr. an easy look. The winning play that really rattled the Spurs' defense had Sengun shielding Sheppard at the top of the key by rolling, Sheppard threading the needle on a pass between two defenders to Sengun and then Smith Jr. kicking out to the basket the left corner. San Antonio looked lost with no one close to the third-year forward.

Udoka had the team run some games for Smith Jr. and Sengun. Houston used the same duo scheme between Smith Jr. and Sengun as they did with Thompson and Eason. Whenever Smith Jr. was on the ground, so was Sengun.

The starters played most of the fourth quarter, with the exception of VanVleet as Sheppard played in his place. Udoka gave the substitutes most of their playing time between the first and third quarters. The minutes could potentially be evened out this way so that the starters play more minutes in the fourth game.

All players dominated the glass tonight and played tirelessly. Sheppard is a perfect example with his height of 1.90 meters. He may not have scored many goals, but he did the dirty work on defense and crashed the boards. Tari Eason also looked for every rebound and steal he could get.

Green continued his solid preseason performance and led Houston in offense. He had his best game of the preseason with 30 points.

The Rockets are known for having one of the deepest teams in the league. The takeaway from this game is that because of the number of lineups they were able to successfully play, the Rockets could have a new game plan every night, which would cause confusion among their opponents because they didn't know what to expect.

Houston begins its season next Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets. The game will take place at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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