Rockets, Spurs square off in Texas showdown

There's usually little need to try to create hype for one of the Texas Showdown games between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, but this year the rivalry, if possible, has become even more heated because of the lofty position among the top teams in the NBA. The Rockets and Spurs meet for the fourth time this season on Monday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio in a game between the squads with the second- and third-best records in the NBA and the Western Conference. The Spurs (48-13) have a five-game lead on the Rockets in the standings and, after having won seven straight games, are taking aim at the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the NBA.