Gregg Popovich wished to see his younger crew present slightly extra combat after a blowout street loss to the Clippers on Sunday. The San Antonio Spurs appeared to take that message to coronary heart as they put collectively a second-half comeback to defeat the Phoenix Suns 115-114.
The comeback was led by Keldon Johnson who had the sport successful steal and layup within the remaining seconds of the sport. He had a powerful stat line of 27 factors, 4 assists and a couple of steals. 18 of his factors got here within the second half. Victor Wembanyama got here alive late within the recreation as soon as once more, ending with 18 factors, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 26 factors, 7 assists and a couple of steals.
The Spurs will face the Suns once more on Thursday night time in Phoenix.
Observations
Tre Jones subbed into the sport early within the fourth and the offense opened up. Jones had a bench-high 10 factors, and added in 3 assists in addition to a steal. He was a crew excessive +13 in his 24 minutes. That’s to not say that Jeremy Sochan performed poorly. He was robust defensively down the stretch. He made some clutch passes within the fourth to get Zach Collins and Devin Vassell simple baskets because the Spurs tried their comeback. Sochan completed with 8 factors, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Spurs nonetheless have some strides to make with their man-to-man protection. They allowed the Suns to shoot 50.6% from the sector and 46.2% from three. Popovich went with a 3-2 zone that brought about some actual points for Phoenix. The zone featured Wembanyama and Sochan on the level of assault. Their size created havoc, and Jones and Vassell capitalized with some key steals within the second half. The Spurs pressured the Suns to show it over 19 occasions, whereas San Antonio solely turned it over on 12 events.
The Suns are identified for his or her large three of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. It was the Spurs large three made up of Johnson, Wembanyama and Vassell, who sealed the sport. Vassell particularly made some robust step again threes that saved San Antonio surging within the fourth. Wembanyama made large performs on the defensive finish, blocking threes and discovering methods to complete inside on the opposite finish. Johnson relentlessly attacked the Suns within the second half, giving the Spurs the rim stress they’ve desperately wanted of their first 4 video games.
