Lastly, lastly, lastly, the nightmare has come to an finish because the Spurs busted their franchise-record 18-game shedding streak with a blowout win over the LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. They constructed what would show to be an insurmountable 25-point lead early within the second quarter, and though they almost gave all of it again earlier than halftime, they held on earlier than doing and one thing they’ve struggled with all season: come out of the locker room targeted and able to defend their lead, cruising via the second half for the 129-115 win.
Devin Vassell led the best way with a profession excessive 36 factors (his first ever 30-point sport!) whereas hitting 5-10 from three, whereas six different Spurs scored in double figures. Three Lakers scored 20 or extra factors, led by 23 from LeBron James.
Observations
Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell sat out this sport, however James returned and made certain to offer Victor Webanyama his personal “Welcome to the NBA” second early by stripping his dribble as he did a spin transfer and sprinting down the courtroom for a spotlight actual dunk.
Vassell rediscovered his capturing type, placing up 11 factors within the first quarter and hitting well timed photographs all through the evening. That helped kickstart the Spurs offense as a complete, as they moved the ball, attacked the rim, and made their threes. General, they’d 13 assists on 16 discipline objectives, hit six threes and scored 14 factors within the paint in opposition to a zone protection to get out to a 42-22 lead, making that their second-straight quarter of scoring 40 or extra factors, going again to the fourth quarter in opposition to the Lakers on Wednesday.
In fact, good issues by no means final with this staff, and so they promptly forgot each learn how to assault a zone protection and defend, as James went into assault mode, began forcing double groups and discovering the Lakers’ shooters on open appears to be like (which they made). I suppose it may be thought of a plus when the Spurs, who at the moment have the worst offensive internet score within the league, can look “unhealthy” on offense and nonetheless rating 27 factors, however in addition they can’t hand over 40 on the identical time. Fortuitously, that ended up being the Spurs’ pungent quarter of the sport. They prevented the basic third quarter meltdown and slowly rebuilt their result in double digits earlier than cruising via fourth quarter for the win.
With Tre Jones out sick, we lastly acquired to see Devonte’ Graham play some backup level guard minutes within the first half and rubbish time. It was nothing particular — he missed his solely two photographs however recorded 3 assists in 10 minutes — however it additionally wasn’t unhealthy. Graham is greater than able to logging some minutes if Pop ever decides to begin Tre Jones.
A clever method by Lakers Coach Darvin Ham was to substitute LeBron out slightly early, then carry him again in when Cedi Osman and Doug McDermott had been on the courtroom. The Spurs’ two greatest exterior shooters acquired their factors, combining for 21 factors on 5-7 capturing from three, however in addition they couldn’t guard one of many GOATs, and that’s when he did most of his injury on this sport.
I respect that Wemby appears to be reining within the three-point chucking in the previous couple of video games, as an alternative saving them for transition or inside the circulate of the offense. He solely took two threes tonight, hitting one, however extra importantly he acknowledged that Vassell was the recent hand and as an alternative picked his spots on offense, recording 13 factors and 15 rebounds whereas breaking Dwight Howard’s report for many consecutive double-doubles for a young person.
Right here’s a loopy stat that you just most likely by no means would have guessed: with a made three within the first half, Malaki Branham turned simply the second Spur to hit 100 or extra threes in his first 90 profession video games, behind Gary Neal’s 139 (hat tip: Jordan Howenstine). That’s considerably stunning contemplating Branham will not be actually know for his three-point capturing, however it’s additionally a reminder that quite a lot of the Spurs youthful gamers beneath Pop both got here earlier than the three-pointer turned so widespread or simply didn’t get the minutes to perform that feat. Branham continued his sizzling play as a starter, recording 12 factors on 5-8 capturing.
For the Lakers followers’ perspective, go to Silver Display and Roll.
The Spurs return to the Frost Financial institution Middle for a matinee sport in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans. Tip-off shall be at 2:30 PM CT on Bally Sports activities.
