After reportedly having a players-only assembly just a few days in the past, the Spurs got here out and fought to the bitter finish of their second straight recreation towards the figuring-it-out, star-studded Clippers. They overcame an ice-cold begin on offense and usually regarded higher on protection, however sadly (and as is commonly the case), an enormous third quarter run by Los Angeles put the sport simply out of attain, and a frantic comeback effort within the fourth wasn’t sufficient to forestall their tenth straight loss.
The Spurs regarded anxious on offense early, fumbling the ball round and settling for jumpers earlier than Victor Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan lastly broke the ice with free throws. Initially, the Clippers weren’t a lot sharper, and the rating sat at simply 10-8 5 minutes in, however they took benefit of the Spurs not getting again in transition protection, quickly doubling up the rating to 16-8 and forcing a Gregg Popovich timeout. The Spurs’ halfcourt protection was stable, however every thing was falling quick on offense as they shot simply 3-21 within the first quarter, and the Clippers closed on an 8-0 run to take a 26-14 lead.
The Clippers stretched the lead out to as a lot 16 earlier than a few threes from Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman helped convey the Spurs offense some life, however Paul George was additionally red-hot, initially stopping the Spurs from occurring any sort of prolonged run to shortly reduce into the lead. They have been slowly in a position to hold chiseling away and eventually went on a 9-0 run to chop the lead three. The Clippers ended up scoring the ultimate three factors of the quarter from the road, however total, the Spurs reduce what had been a 17-point deficit down to 6, 48-54, at halftime and seemingly had all of the momentum.
Maybe motivated by the all of the booing (extra on that under), Kawhi Leonard got here out of the locker room on fireplace with 11 factors earlier than the primary timeout, however the Spurs initially stored up thanks to 6 factors from Victor Wembanyama and a few threes from Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson, getting as shut as two factors. Sadly, the offense finally went chilly once more, and the Clippers used an 18-2 run to push the lead out to 18 earlier than the Spurs scored the ultimate six to provide themselves an opportunity heading into the ultimate body, down 70-82.
The Clippers once more scored first six factors of the fourth quarter, however to their credit score, the Spurs stored pounding that rock, particularly Jeremy Sochan with 11 factors, forcing Ty Lue to name a timeout with 4:50 left and their lead “again” right down to 12. A Devin Vassell three and Johnson jumper two minutes later compelled one other Clippers timeout with the lead right down to 7, however the Spurs couldn’t put sufficient makes collectively to finish the comeback, falling 102-109. The hassle was admirable, but it surely’s nonetheless a loss because the Spurs wrestle to recover from the hump.
Recreation Notes
It was reported earlier at this time and mentioned throughout the first quarter that three months in the past, Spurs announcer Invoice Land was recognized with a type of blood most cancers that’s not curable however treatable. He started a brand new type of remedy a few weeks in the past and can miss video games from time-to-time, however simply as the whole Spurs household is with him, so is the Pounding the Rock neighborhood.
It’s arduous to know what to inform Wemby to do on offense at this level. His greatest play is receiving the ball shut sufficient to the basket on the pick-and-roll that he can go straight up. In any other case, his teammates are nonetheless studying how you can get him the ball for the transient moments he’s open down low, his taking pictures numbers on jumpers are poor, and when he tries to put up up or drive, his dribble is so excessive that he’s swarmed and infrequently stripped. These have been all weaknesses that have been identified coming into the season, but it surely’s changing into clear that he has extra work to try this maybe some thought. Nonetheless, he had a stable night time with 22 factors on 7-13 taking pictures whereas solely tried two threes, making one.
Charles Bassey had a tough couple of possessions alongside Wemby within the first half, with some huge miscommunications, and Dominick Barlow ended up getting the backup “heart” minutes the remainder of the sport. This additionally occurred final week when Sandro Mamukelashvili acquired some burn in Bassey’s place, so we’ll see if he continues to carry a rotation spot going ahead or if it turns into a game-by-game state of affairs. (He did have an excellent outing within the first matchup with the Clippers.)
With about three minutes left within the second quarter, Leonard was taking pictures free throws, and after 4 years, Pop abruptly determined he’d had sufficient of the followers booing him. He grabbed the sector microphone and instructed the group to cease the booing and present some class. Unsurprisingly, all that did was make the group boo even louder, however it could have additionally motivated his personal gamers a bit. The Spurs have been down 12 one play later however virtually instantly went on that 9-0 run to get again within the recreation earlier than halftime. (It additionally most likely motivated Leonard, who got here out crimson sizzling within the third quarter.) Particularly now that we now have Wemby, I’m personally within the time-to-move on class, however I’ll by no means inform anybody to cease, and Pop most likely didn’t do himself any favors with a fanbase that’s already pissed off (not that he wants any).
Play of the Recreation
We talked about Wemby’s greatest conditions being when he’s close to the basket and doesn’t should put the ball on the bottom, and right here’s Collins lastly discovering him driving to the bucket off the offensive rebound and getting him the lob.
Up Subsequent: Friday vs. Golden State Warriors
Eradicated from “rivalry”, the Spurs will conclude their In-season Match play towards the Warriors, who can be with out Draymond Inexperienced, in San Fransisco on Friday. Tipoff can be at 9 PM CT on ESPN and KENS 5.
Pleased Thanksgiving to you all, Pounders!
