Rockets vs. Spurs: Proven Model Reveals NBA Picks for Sunday, March 8

Two Western Conference contenders meet in a primetime matchup at Frost Bank Arena.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The third-place Houston Rockets travel to take on the second-place San Antonio Spurs in a key NBA matchup on Sunday night. Both teams have their major contributors available, with Jabari Smith Jr. returning from an ankle injury for the Rockets. The Spurs are 5.5-point home favorites, with the total set at 222.5 points.

Why it matters

This game features two of the top teams in the Western Conference standings, with the Spurs looking to solidify their position behind the Thunder while the Rockets aim to keep pace in the crowded playoff race. The outcome could have significant implications for the postseason picture in the West.

The details

The Rockets enter the game at 39-23, third in the West, while the Spurs are 46-17 and second in the conference. Both teams have relatively clean injury reports, with Jabari Smith Jr. available for Houston after missing some time recently. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Arena.

  • The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Kevin Durant

Star forward for the Houston Rockets.

Victor Wembanyama

Rookie center for the San Antonio Spurs.

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What’s next

The model's picks and predictions for the Rockets vs. Spurs game can be found at SportsLine.com.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top teams in the Western Conference should be an exciting and high-stakes affair, with both teams looking to improve their playoff positioning. The model's projections suggest it could be a high-scoring game, with the Over hitting over 50% of the time.