With no Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs squared off with some of the proficient groups within the Jap Convention. Regardless of giving up 44-points within the first quarter, the Spurs performed a decent recreation with out their star in a 132-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
They have been led by Keldon Johnson, who has been on considerably of a scorching streak in December. Johnson had one other double-double, placing up 28 factors and 12 rebounds. He was a drive to be reckoned with within the paint.
Johnson has been taking quite a lot of threes this season (5.5 a recreation) however he’s actually at his finest when he’s attending to the cup. All of Johnson’s 28 factors got here within the three-point arc. Because the Spurs proceed to develop this season, Johnson’s rim stress will develop into a key a part of their offense.
Zach Collins stuffed in for Wembanyama within the beginning lineup, and had one in all his higher video games of the season. The massive man had 22 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a pair of blocks. He additionally knocked down 4 deep balls.
Collins has regarded far more comfy capturing the ball since shifting to the bench. As a starter Collins is capturing 27.8% from three, as a reserve that quantity jumps to 62.5% (on MUCH decrease quantity.)
Collins’ playmaking out of the excessive submit has at all times been one in all his finest abilities. Once more, getting extra performs that generate paint touches is an effective factor for the Spurs offense. Collins is adept at hitting again cutters on these bounce passes – plus, it’s simply fairly basketball!
Tre Jones had a stable recreation off the bench, scoring 14 factors and including 5 assists. Jones is one other participant who can get to the rim at will. Ending has been up and down, however the level guard causes the protection to break down, the place he can both get to a very good shot, or discover an open shooter exterior the paint.
It wasn’t his finest capturing recreation, however Devin Vassell nonetheless flashed some shotmaking abilities on Tuesday night time. He completed with 17 factors on 7-18 capturing. The wing has performed a a lot better job of getting beauty nearer to the basket. He’s one of many view Spurs with the wiggle to create house like this off the bounce.
Don’t look now, however Malaki Branham might have discovered his capturing stroke. The second-year guard is capturing simply 31.8% from deep on the season, however in December he’s capturing 42.3% on threes. If Branham can persistently hit the three ball, his offensive upside turns into far more attention-grabbing.
The Spurs will seemingly get Wembanyama again for his or her matchup with the Bulls on Thursday, the place they’ll look to bounce again from this two-game shedding streak.
Take a look at full highlights from Tuesday’s contest with the Bucks under.
