Where to watch live San Antonio Spurs x Houston Rockets – NBA: lineups and predictions for today’s game Por Carolina Costa
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The clash between San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets marks the start of the group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup this Friday, November 7, 2025. Both teams arrive with balanced campaigns in the regular season, recording five wins and two losses each.
The Spurs, led by coach Gregg Popovich, are looking to consolidate their position in the Western Conference, where they occupy fifth place. The Rockets, under the command of Ime Udoka, lead the league’s attack with the highest average points per game, positioned third in the same conference.
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The game takes place at the Frost Bank Center, in San Antonio, Texas, with a capacity for around 18 thousand fans. The expectation involves the clash between young talents and experienced veterans, promising a high-level show.
- Both teams demonstrate defensive efficiency, with the Spurs allowing just 109.6 points per game.
- The Rockets lead in rebounds per game, a category in which they were best last season.
- This is the first meeting in the NBA Cup, adding weight to the match.
The interstate rivalry between Texas and Texas intensifies the atmosphere, with fans divided in the region.
PlayerFeatured es and likely lineups
Victor Wembanyama appears as Spurs’ main name for this match. The Frenchman, in his third season in the NBA, averages 25.6 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the best blockers in the league with 4.1 blocks on average. His presence in the paint directly challenges the Rockets’ offensive strategy.
On the visiting side, Kevin Durant, recently arrived at Houston after a bombastic trade with the Phoenix Suns, leads with 24 points per game. At 37 years old, the power forward maintains a 51% shooting efficiency from the field, contributing 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. His adaptation to the new team has been quick, boosting the recent winning streak.
Alperen Şengün complements the Rockets’ attack with impressive numbers: 22.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. The Turkish center stands out for his versatility, including 1.6 steals, making him a threat on both ends of the court.
- Probable Spurs lineup: Chris Paul (PG), Stephon Castle (SG), Devin Vassall (SF), Jeremy Sochan (PF), Victor Wembanyama (C).
- Probable Rockets lineup: Fred VanVleet (PG), Amen Thompson (SG), Jabari Smith Jr. (SF), Tari Eason (PF), Alperen Şengün (C).
- Confirmed absences: Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle, Rockets); De’Aaron Fox (hamstring, Spurs, debut postponed until Saturday).
These formations are based on the teams’ latest performances, with adjustments for the pace of the NBA Cup. The Spurs prioritize speed with Castle, who scores 19.4 points and discontributes 5.7 assists, while the Rockets rely on bench depth, led by Thompson with 18.6 points.
The balance between long-range shots and infiltrations promises a dynamic game, especially with the Rockets’ three-point percentage at 42.5%, the best in the league so far.
Where to watch live and streaming options
Brazilian fans will be able to watch the match from 9:30 pm Brasília time, which coincides with 7:30 pm in the local time zone of San Antonio, in the Midwest of the United States. The broadcast takes place on Amazon Prime Video, an exclusive platform for selected NBA Cup games this season. The basic subscription allows access on mobile devices, smart TVs and computers, with high definition quality and audio options in Portuguese.
For those who prefer free options, highlights and summaries will be available on the official NBA website and on the league app shortly after the end. In Brazil, broadcasters such as Band and ESPN offer complementary coverage in pre- and post-game programs, but live streaming is restricted to Prime.
Tickets for the Frost Bank Center are still available on sites like Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from $50 to $300, depending on location. The weather forecast in San Antonio indicates a mild night, with 18 degrees Celsius and low humidity, ideal conditions for the public to fill the stands.
Digital accessibility makes global tracking easier, with the Rockets’ 124.7+ average points contrasting with the Spurs’ solid defense.
Fighting history and recent form
The Rockets have the advantage in recent history against the Spurs, winning three of four games in the last regular season. In 2024, Houston surpassed San Antonio by average margins of eight points, exploiting superiority in rebounds and quick transitions. Overall, since 2000, the teams have faced each other 114 times in the regular season, with the Texans slightly superior to San Antonio in 59 wins against the Rockets’ 55.
This match represents the first chapter in the NBA Cup between them, raising the stakes for classification in Group C of the Western Conference.
The Spurs are coming off two consecutive setbacks on the West Coast road trip, including a narrow 118-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Despite this, the team maintained balance, with seven players in double digits of scoring.
- Spurs’ last five games: 112-105 win over Phoenix Suns (2/11); 118-116 loss to Lakers (5/11); 120-110 win over Golden State Warriors (1/11); 115-108 win over Denver Nuggets (30/10); 105-98 victory over Minnesota Timberwolves (10/28).
- Collective performance: Average of 117.9 points scored, second best defense in the league in terms of points given up.
The Rockets extend their undefeated streak away from home to three games, with convincing victories that highlight their explosive offense.
- Rockets’ last five games: 124-109 victory over Memphis Grizzlies (5/11); 110-102 win over Dallas Mavericks (3/11); 128-115 win over Oklahoma City Thunder (1/11); 122-118 victory over Portland Trail Blazers (30/10); 105-112 loss to Los Angeles Clippers (10/28).
- Highlights: Leaders in points per game (124.7) and rebounds (38.3 per game).
These results reinforce the confidence of Houston, which covers the spread in five of seven games when it surpasses 109.6 points of its opponents.
Tactical strategies and arbitration
Gregg Popovich, Spurs coach with 29 years in charge, emphasizes defensive adjustments against the Rockets’ fast-paced attack. Marking Durant and Şengün will be crucial, with Wembanyama responsible for contesting shots in the paint. San Antonio plans to explore counterattacks, taking advantage of the speed of Castle and Vassall to neutralize the pace imposed by Udoka.
Ime Udoka, in turn, focuses on ball distribution, with VanVleet orchestrating plays for Thompson and Eason in infiltrations. The deep rotation, including Okogie who has averaged 9.4 points over the last five games, allows for variations that wear down opposing defenses.
The refereeing is in charge of an experienced NBA trio, including Scott Foster as the main referee, known for his rigor in technical fouls. Other referees include Tony Brothers and Marc Davis, with a track record of 92% correct on last resort calls. No recent incidents between the teams suggest extra tensions, but the intensity of the Texas derby could raise the stakes.
These tactical dynamics promise a game of chess, with the Spurs betting on a 47% efficiency in two-point shots compared to the Rockets’ 49.3%.
Curiosities and top scorers of the season
The Emirates NBA Cup, in its third edition, distributes US$3.5 million to the winner, motivating teams like Spurs and Rockets to prioritize the tournament. San Antonio is seeking its first title since the format overhaul, while Houston is aiming to advance to the group quarterfinals.
Best scorers include Wembanyama, with 25.6 points, and Durant, with 24, but Şengün leads in assists with 7.3 per game. A curiosity lies in the Durant trade: in exchange, Houston sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, restructuring the squad for greater ambitions.
- Notable facts: Rockets lead in three-pointers (42.5%); Spurs have the best block percentage (14.2%).
- Total scorers: Durant (24.0 PPG), Wembanyama (25.6 PPG), Thompson (18.6 PPG).
- Personal records: Amen Thompson scored a career-high 28 points in the win over the Grizzlies.
These elements add layers to the matchup, making it a can’t-miss event for NBA fans.
The clash between these Texan powers reflects the balance of the Western Conference, where each possession can define classifications. With accessible broadcasting and aligned stars, the game attracts global attention, consolidating the NBA Cup as the highlight of the week.
