Spurs return home and survive against Rockets, 125-126.

Eric Gordon's potential game-winner rattled out at the buzzer.

The San Antonio crowd had reason to be concerned if they'd followed the win-less road trip, but immediately the Spurs looked to be back to form, making perimeter shots and looking energetic on the court. Joakim Noah especially looked strong, finishing with 13 points and 9 rebounds, to go with 4 blocks, proving to be vital in this fierce match-up.

James Harden went supernova for 52 points, scoring 28 points in the first quarter because he simply can, despite Brandon Ingram's best efforts to slow him down. It would take a team, as Harden would occasionally miss a shot or get the ball swiped away from him by the likes of Avery Bradley and Rudy Gay. The Rockets led 34-33 after quarter one.

In a hot exchange, Clint Capela (10 rebounds, 4 blocks) swatted Brandon Ingram and then Kyle O'Quinn swatted James Harden on the other end. Houston shot 68% on the game, with Austin Rivers (17 points in 15 minutes) causing mayhem as a comfortable lead turned foul and put the Spurs on the brink of defeat. Everyone fired in the deep range shootout, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope having a nice game and causing interceptions on defense, pulling up for three on the fast break. He finished with 13 points, knocking in three overall, capping a 10-PT lead for the Spurs. The Spurs led 65-63 at the halfway point; meanwhile, Harden had 42 by then.

The ball movement was the difference maker tonight, as the Spurs put together 20 assists: KCP kicking it out to Rudy Gay in the corner, then dishing it to Patty Mills and Brandon Ingram. The Duke wing had 38 points, cruising in this game as San Antonio's leader, making 4/7 from deep, 13/20 overall. The Spurs shot 43% from long range. Meanwhile, James Harden dunked it home for 50 points to end the third quarter, but his team was losing by double digits. Cue the bench unit!

James Harden had one of those games.

Kenneth Faried roared in 14 points, but soon the lead was 97-109 as Rudy Gay continued to have a nice outing. He finished with 21 points, going 8/18 but 4/7 from deep. Dejounte Murray fearlessly drove into the paint for 17 points with 7 assists, not being denied in this game unlike the previous two road losses. The Spurs only had six turnovers tonight.

Then the blast-off erupted, as the Rockets tried to sneak out of San Antonio with the win, cutting the lead to 104-109, then driving the score all the way up to nearly 130 by the end of things. A free throw fight ensued, as Murray and Ingram would not quite let the lead slip away, the Spurs defense converging on the emboldened Rockets as not even a 3PTer by Patty Mills could put them away (giving the Spurs a two-point lead at the time). Luckily, Eric Gordon missed at the buzzer after a nice defensive display by the Spurs, careful to not commit a foul (as they'd done to previously give up the lead in the hot potato exchange). Brandon Ingram made it 126-125 after drawing a tough foul.

In the defeat, Chris Paul had 21 points with 8 assists. Eric Gordon went just 4/6 overall.