The Spurs had a great start of the season but like everyone else, they were outperformed by the Warriors and largely flew under the radar. Then on Christmas they, on the highest profile game of the season, they lost to the Rockets on national TV. It's very possible plenty of casual fans might not know how good they have been. While not overlooked by any means, the Spurs are probably underrated right now.
NBA scores 2016: Spurs are best team in the league right now & 3 other things we learned
Now that the Warriors are struggling with Stephen Curry out, the Spurs are arguably the best team in the league.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Anyone who tuned in to their 121-103 walloping of Houston on Saturday, however, has surely realized that San Antonio is playing at the highest level out of any team in the league at the moment.
The Spurs didn't dominate from the start against the Rockets. The game was close for the entire first half before the Spurs went on a 16-2 run in the third quarter. They never looked back after that. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 11 of his 24 total points in the frame while Manu Ginobili and Boris Diaw had eight each off the bench. San Antonio also tightened up on defense, allowing Houston just 17 points mostly by focusing on limiting James Harden.
Everything that makes this Spurs team a serious contender was on display on Saturday. Their bench talent is unmatched, as Boris Diaw, Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills continue to shine. They are not reliant on Tim Duncan (zero points in under 14 minutes) or Tony Parker (two points in 27 minutes) for scoring because they have the Kawhi Leonard-LaMarcus Aldridge duo (a combined for 46 points on just 28 shots) to handle that. Their league-best defense kept Harden at 17 points for the night.
Everyone on the Spurs knows their role and is ready to step up when needed. One of the best coaches in league history is calling the shots. They have plenty of championship experience. As long as they stay healthy, they will always be in the mix.
That has been true for many, many years. Now, they also have two two-way stars in their prime and are executing at peak level. If things shake up as they are looking like they will in the West, the conference finals could feature two historically good teams this year.
3 other things we learned
The Suns need to make some moves
The Suns lost to the Kings, a direct competitor for a playoff spot in the West, by 23 points after firing two key assistant coaches. Markieff Morris didn't play. Tyson Chandler was ejected and the team completely unraveled in the third quarter, when they allowed 44 points. This is as close to rock bottom as things can get for them at this point and it should prompt some changes.
Obviously moving Morris -- who demanded a trade in the offseason and has clashed with his coach this year -- is the priority but more aggressive measures might be necessary. Jeff Hornacek is a good coach but if he's lost control of the locker room, firing him can't be out of the question. Gauging the trade value of veterans P.J. Tucker and Tyson Chandler is a must. The Suns won't make the playoffs so they need to bottom out and start over. The sooner they begin the tear down, the better.
LeBron James remembered how to shoot
Stephen Curry has emerged as the best player in the league thanks to some ridiculous performances but LeBron James is not willing to surrender the title without a fight. James scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half to help the Cavaliers break things open against the Magic. Most encouraging of all, he had his shot going.
James had been terrible from outside the paint this season, which makes him -- and by extension, the Cavaliers -- easier to defend. If James can regain his shooting touch, however, he can still be the most dominant players in the game and the Cavaliers can beat any team in the league.
The small forward position is stacked
James wasn't the only small forward to shine on Saturday. The Thunder beat the Hornets in Charlotte and Kevin Durant had 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks. Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, had an efficient 22 points in 12 shots to go with six rebounds and two assists in the Spurs' easy win over the Rockets. Yet the performance of the night belong to another outstanding wing.
Paul George scored the final 21 points for the Pacers in their victory over the Pistons, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.
He also pitched in 14 rebounds and three assists. It was one of those performance only a handful of players can deliver and a reminded that he’s fully back on the upper echelon along with the other three guys.
Play of the night
Zach LaVine can fly.
4 fun things
Things got chippy on Saturday night. O.J. Mayo had to be restrained after being ejected. Over at Indiana, Paul George and Marcus Morris got into a shoving match. Chill, guys.
Final scores
Nets 100, Celtics 97 (Nets Daily recap | Celtics blog recap)
Kings 142, Suns 119 (Sactown Royalty | Bright Side of the Sun)
Thunder 109, Hornets 90 (Welcome to Loud City recap | At the Hive recap)
Pacers 94, Pistons 82 (Indy Cornrows recap | Detroit Bad Boys recap)
Cavaliers 104, Magic 79 (Fear the Sword recap | Orlando Pinstriped Post recap)
Bucks 95, Timberwolves 85 (Brew Hoop recap | Canis Hoopus recap)
Pelicans 105, Mavericks 98 (The Bird Writes recap | Mavs Moneyball recap)
Spurs 121, Rockets 103 (Pounding the Rock recap | The Dream Shake recap)
Jazz 92, Grizzlies 87 (SLC Dunk recap | Grizzly Bear Blues recap)
Warriors 111, Nuggets 108 (Golden State of Mind recap | Denver Stiffs recap)
Clippers 130, 76ers 99 (Clips Nation recap | Liberty Ballers recap)
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