It wasn’t fairly however the Spurs managed to make it a recreation in opposition to the perfect groups within the league earlier than operating out of gasoline within the fourth and dropping their fifteenth straight, 102-94. Devin Vassell shined in his return to the beginning lineup whereas Rudy Gobert set the tone on protection for the Timberwolves and punished San Antonio inside in a matchup between two rusty squads who didn’t present their finest.
Gregg Popovich determined to shake issues up on the twentieth recreation of the season, sending Jeremy Sochan to the bench and beginning Cedi Osman. The brand new-look Spurs struggled on offense to start out, however their opponent wasn’t sharp both early on. The scoring was low and the tempo glacial at occasions on what was a sloppy first quarter. Some flashes from Tre Jones introduced some pleasure for San Antonio and Naz Reid put some factors on the board off the bench for the house group, which led by three after one.
Victor Wembanyama had an extended stretch at heart to start out the second however appeared a little bit misplaced on protection. Pop went to a zone to attempt to shield the rookie, but it surely didn’t actually work, as Minnesota nonetheless bought buckets. Devin Vassell luckily bought sizzling on the opposite finish to maintain issues shut. The Spurs stopped turning the ball over and the Wolves went chilly on the identical time, which allowed the guests to take management. On the half, the Silver and Black have been up seven, with three of their starters scoring in double digits.
Turnovers plagued the Spurs to start out the second half and the Timberwolves pounced to place collectively a 9-0 run. Minnesota wasn’t taking part in impressed ball but however they may nonetheless maintain the rating shut, which didn’t seem to be a great omen for San Antonio. Nonetheless, the fellows in Silver and Black continued to play onerous in opposition to an opponent that at occasions appeared overconfident. Just one group was hungry for a win and it confirmed, particularly in the course of the ugly stretches of the sport. With Vassell main the best way, the Spurs refused to go away.
The issue is effort can solely achieve this a lot when the opposite guys have a large edge in expertise and familiarity. The Wolves bought away with taking part in poorly for lengthy stretches just because that they had one other gear. After they wanted to play nicely, they did, getting stops and making well timed photographs on command, like good groups do. They went on a run within the fourth and by no means appeared again, regardless of San Antonio’s finest efforts.
Observations
Pop’s beginning lineup change was probably all about conserving good pairings collectively. Vassell and Wembanyama are the Spurs’ two finest gamers and are growing some good chemistry. The group has carried out nicely Jones and Sochan have shared the courtroom. It’s not the change most followers needed, however you may see the logic behind it.
Regardless of taking part in at one of many league’s highest paces, the Spurs have a tendency to start out performs too late within the half-court. A number of their 24-second violations and late photographs are self-inflicted.
With Collins and Wembanyama splitting the minutes at heart, Charles Bassey didn’t get taking part in time. Bassey’s power and athleticism can have an effect on video games, he had a great recreation in opposition to the Pelicans and the Timberwolves play two bigs usually, so his absence was a shock.
Is 20 video games sufficient to find out that Zach Collins simply isn’t a dependable exterior shooter? He even bought some open nook threes however he couldn’t make them. Too many performs finish with Collins catching the ball within the perimeter and that’s an issue.
The Spurs have been proper to let Kyle Anderson depart in free company after his rookie contract was up. He by no means discovered to shoot and have become extra of a tweener with age. He’s nonetheless enjoyable, although. Slowmo does a little bit little bit of every thing and stays a novel participant in a league that’s changing into extra homogenous each season.
Anthony Edwards simply couldn’t purchase a bucket for many of the recreation however he triggered all kinds of hassle for the Spurs together with his driving potential. He bought Rudy Gobert just a few offensive boards and dunks simply by drawing the eye of a number of defenders.
The Wolves challenged Wemby just a few occasions efficiently on the rim and he appeared a little bit pissed off. Then late within the third, he had a block on Naz Reid that appeared extra like a volleyball spike. It’s enjoyable to see Victor present emotion together with his play.
The sport was a brick fest at occasions. It wasn’t shocking to see the Spurs miss a bunch of threes, however the Wolves are an honest capturing group. Ultimately just a few of these seems went in and that was sufficient to present Minnesota the sting it wanted.
For the Timberwolves fan’s perspective, please go to Canis Hoopus.
The Spurs will host DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls on Friday at 7:30 p.m. CST. Bally Sports activities will televise the sport.
