The San Antonio Spurs have misplaced 14 straight video games. Sure, 14 straight. By the point they’ve an opportunity to interrupt the dropping streak subsequent, it could have been greater than a month since their final win, the Wemby 38-point explosion in Phoenix.
Talking of Vic, he missed his first-ever NBA recreation within the Spurs 121-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Wemby ought to be wonderful because it feels like this absence was because of the Spurs coaching workers being further cautious on the second night time of a back-to-back.
The sport began far more promising than it ended, with the Spurs flattening three triples within the first jiffy to get the scoring began. The Pelicans have been taking a distinct method to scoring nonetheless, getting the ball to their big-man, Jonas Valanciunas, who was dominating down low within the paint for straightforward factors. It was a excessive tempo first quarter with each groups getting up and down the courtroom seeking to push the tempo for transition baskets. This fashion of ball was suiting the Spurs bench unit and particularly, Cedi Osman, who was utilizing his craftiness and power to attain the ball and discover his teammates. San Antonio have been competing arduous with out their franchise star and in opposition to a way more gifted group and located themselves solely down one after the primary twelve minutes, 32-31.
After being stored scoreless and with out a subject aim try within the first quarter, the Pelicans franchise star, Zion Williamson, began to take the sport over. He was utilizing his dimension and athleticism to attain within the paint and get himself to the free-throw line. So, it was a sigh of reduction for the Spurs when Zion went to the bench. This fuelled a San Antonio ran the place they finally took the lead. Malaki Branham was then beginning to be extra aggressive along with his shot after seeing a 3 go down, and it was his scoring that was maintaining the Spurs in entrance. That was till Jonas began to get busy within the paint on either side of the courtroom, which led to the Pelicans taking the lead again heading into the half, 63-61.
It was a recreation of two kinds with the Spurs counting on the three-ball the majoity of the sport whereas the Pelicans have been content material to pound the ball inside and commerce threes for twos. The sport was in vary for the Spurs to take till turnovers began to pile up and the Pelicans raced away to a double-digit lead. Thankfully, Charles Bassey was enjoying like a person possessed for the guests, as his power, rebounding and hustle performs have been maintaining the sport in arms attain with San Antonio solely discovering themselves down eight heading into the fourth, 89-81.
The Spurs tried to make a run on the residence aspect however each time they obtained to inside 5 the Pelicans would hit again as their three-ball began to warmth up simply because the Spurs began to chill down from past the arc. After the sport obtained again out to double-figures the Spurs emptied their bench as they suffered their fourteenth consecutive loss on this 121-106 defeat to New Orleans.
Recreation Notes
Third Quarter Woes. Even with out Wemby, this recreation had the identical script. The Spurs would maintain it shut within the first-half earlier than errors would compound them within the third and they might go into the ultimate twelve minutes with an excessive amount of to do. I feel as soon as Devin returns to the beginning lineup that ought to assist the Spurs begin second-halves stronger, nevertheless it has been an ongoing challenge and one thing they should straighten out in the event that they need to break this dropping run.
Charles Bassey Affect? The second-year Spur and backup huge was the most effective participant on the courtroom for the Silver & Black in opposition to the Pels. As Zach Collins struggled in opposition to Jonas and Zion, Bassey was in a position to make an impression along with his power on the glass and rim safety within the paint. It has been an up-and-down season up to now for Charles who has obtained restricted run in some video games, however this was his finest efficiency of the season by far and one that may hopefully result in Charles having a extra constant position in future video games.
Tre & Sochan, collectively! The speak all summer season, pre-season and to start out the common season was about who’s a greater PG for this group between Tre & Jeremy. Whereas that query continues to be debated, one factor is for positive, Jones and Sochan ought to be sharing the courtroom with one another as a lot as attainable. They each play off one another effectively and so they each profit from having one another on the market. The talk ought to transfer on from Tre OR Sochan to Tre, Sochan, Wemby, Vassell AND who?
Participant of the Recreation:
third: Cedi Osman – 11 factors (4/9, 2/5, 1/2), 5 assists, 1 block in 27 minutes
2nd: Tre Jones – 10 factors (4/9, 2/4), 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 23 minutes
1st: Charles Bassey – 8 factors (4/4), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks in 19 minutes
Play Of The Recreation
The participant of the sport finishes off the play of the sport:
Subsequent Recreation: @ T’Wolves on Wednesday
The Spurs will look to interrupt their dropping rut and never let the streak attain 15 after they go to Minnesota to tackle the Western Convention contending Timberwolves.
