The San Antonio Spurs are hoping to preserve their unbeaten record when they visit the Houston Rockets in an all-Texas showdown in the National Basketball Association Thursday night.
The veteran-laden Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (95-82) and Los Angeles Clippers (115-90) in their first two games.
"We’re looking sharp, but I don’t want to get too confident," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili told Yahoo Sports.
"I don’t think it’s fair or it’s true. We still have a long way to go. It just so happened we played two very good games."
It will be remembered that the Spurs clinched the top spot in the Western Conference last season only to be upset by the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
Ginobili, along with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, are still a force to contend with this season despite their age.
Ginobili is the team's leading scorer, averaging 24 points in their first two games. Head coach Gregg Popovic also drew significant contributions from the likes of Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair and James Anderson.
Of course, players like Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner are expected to make their presence felt as the season progresses.
Houston, meanwhile, lost in its opening game against the Orlando Magic 95-104. The defeat spoiled the coaching debut of Kevin McHale with the Rockets.
"Mentally, we’re asking them to do a lot of different things with new coverages and a lot of different things with new calls and stuff like that," the former Boston Celtic great said.
"Some of that was blown. Overall, I think this team will play hard. I think we’re feisty."
Kyle Lowry led the Rockets with 20 points while Luis Scola added 19. Courtney Lee, Samuel Dalembert and Terrence Williams also had an impressive start for the Rockets.
"That is what a team is all about. I like this group. This year we really have to emphasize on defense and then we can get extra possessions. If we can do that, we will be OK," said Dalembert, who recently signed a new multi-year contract with the club.
