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Josh Smith, Houston Rockets visit San Antonio Spurs

Josh Smith's first impression with the Houston Rockets was a good one and he'll get a taste of the rivalry against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday in the Alamo City.

The Southwest Division-leading Rockets announced Friday they signed Smith, who was released by the Detroit Pistons on Monday less than two years into a four- year, $54 million contract. Smith averaged 13.1 points for the Pistons this season and posted 21 points in Friday's 117-111 overtime win at Memphis.

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"It feels great to play for the Rockets," Smith said. "It's a big opportunity for me. I have newfound brothers in this locker room."

Smith's teammate and NBA leading scorer James Harden (27.2 ppg) recorded 32 points and added the tying layup late in regulation. Harden also had 10 assists and eight rebounds, while Trevor Ariza ended with 15 points and 10 boards for Houston, which scored 13 of the 20 points in overtime and won for the 12th time in the past 16 tries.

Houston had a 54-44 advantage on the glass against the Grizzlies and shot 45.1 percent from the floor.

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The Rockets will close the quick trip in San Antonio and have won three in a row as the visitor. They are 11-2 on the road this season and will return to Space City to play Washington and Charlotte.

Houston is one of the top defensive teams in the NBA and is allowing 96.8 points per game.

San Antonio hasn't been playing like defending champions with back-to-back losses and eight in the last 11 games. The Spurs dropped a 114-106 decision to Oklahoma City on Christmas, then sustained a 97-90 loss in New Orleans Friday.

Tim Duncan finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Cory Joseph also had 20 points starting in place of Tony Parker (hamstring). However, the Spurs were hurt by 17 turnovers that led to 20 New Orleans points.

"We turned it over and fouled too much. We were our own worst enemy," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. "You can't go to (injuries). Both teams play, whoever shows, plays. Whoever doesn't show doesn't matter. When you give up 20 points off turnovers on the road, you're going to have a hard time."

Perhaps playing back-to-back games wore down the veteran Spurs, who recorded just one offensive rebound and had won 11 of the last 12 meetings with New Orleans prior to the Pelicans' 100-99 road triumph on Nov. 8.

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Duncan is three games shy of passing Charles Oakley (1,282) for 18th place on the NBA's all-time games played list. He is two double-doubles (points- rebounds) short of passing Karl Malone (814) for fifth all-time.

Parker is questionable Sunday for San Antonio, which is 9-5 at home and lost to Houston, 98-81, on Nov. 6. Rockets center Dwight Howard had 32 points and 16 rebounds, while Duncan and Manu Ginobili did not play.

The Rockets have won six in a row against the Spurs. San Antonio leads the all-time series with Houston, 97-81.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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