The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 96-89, at AT&T Center on Saturday evening.

The game got out to an interesting start, as the Spurs led, 17-8, six and a half minutes in, but then did not score for the next five minutes, as the Rockets caught up and managed to close the quarter with a 21-20 advantage. The game stayed close through the second, but the Spurs managed to pull back ahead, taking a 52-50 lead into halftime. The Spurs kept the momentum in the third, as they pulled ahead by seven halfway through the quarter, but the Rockets rallied back again, to make it a one-point game, as they trailed, 72-71, heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter featured more back-and-forth action, as the Spurs led, 86-85, with just over three minutes left. The Spurs held on and closed the game, as they outscored the Rockets 10-4 in the final minutes, to earn the impressive home win.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 27 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and one block, in 35 minutes. DeMar DeRozan tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, while Derrick White tallied 14 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals, in 29 minutes. The Spurs shot 45 percent from the field, including 10-of-20 from long range.

Meanwhile, James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, in 38 minutes. Clint Capela tallied 12 points, 17 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, while Eric Gordon added 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 30 minutes off the bench. Carmelo Anthony (illness) did not suit up.

The Rockets (4-7) will look to avoid a third straight loss as they play host to the Pacers on Sunday. The Spurs (7-4) take on the Kings in Sacramento on Monday.