The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets aren't contending for the playoffs this season, but their rivalry is alive and well.
After splitting the first two meetings of the season, things got chippy between the teams in Tuesday night's matchup at the Toyota Center, which the Rockets won 114-101.
In the second half, Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan and Rockets rookie Amen Thompson got tangled up under the opposite basket, which led to a shoving match between the two. This caused players and coaches to get involved to help break things up.
Both players received technical fouls while Sochan was assessed a flagrant-1 after replay appeared to show him tripping Thompson.
After the emotions settled following the game, Sochan admitted there's nothing personal and that Thompson is "a good guy."
"He is a good guy," Sochan said. "It was just a competitive thing. We do as humans and that is really it."
Sochan finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Thompson tallied just two points, but had six rebounds and two blocks.
The Spurs got pushed around by their in-state rival a bit on Tuesday, but they'll get a quick turnaround for a chance at revenge when the Rockets visit San Antonio on Tuesday, March 12.
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