Rockets blast listless Spurs

HOUSTON—Heading into a game with the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale had his eye on a few matchups. A specific one that caught his eye was getting Dwight Howard in the post.

The plan worked.

With San Antonio missing big bodies Tim Duncan, who was rested along with fellow veteran Manu Ginobili, and Tiago Splitter (right calf tightness), Howard dominated the interior from the opening tip, scoring 32 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in leading Houston to a 98-81 victory.

“Howard was really devastating on those high passes,” McHale said. “It’s important that he gets in a rhythm and plays. It doesn’t matter who is out there playing for them, he’s got to play well for us.”

The win runs Houston’s record to a league best 6-0. San Antonio dropped to 2-2.

With no Duncan or Splitter inside Houston had a decided advantage down low and exploited it from the beginning, feeding Howard at every turn.

When Howard was not scoring inside, James Harden filled the stat sheet, adding 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.

“It was a bad night and I couldn’t hit a shot,” Tony Parker, who finished with just six points, said. “We never got into an offensive rhythm.”

At Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points as Trail Blazers routed the Dallas Mavericks 108-87.

Portland trailed 50-46 at halftime but outscored the Mavericks 35-18 in the third quarter and Dallas couldn’t catch up. AP