Groups are imagined to be drained on the second night time of a back-to-back, particularly as the sport wears on in opposition to the highest staff within the Western Convention. That’s precisely what the Spurs have been up in opposition to after beating Portland the night time earlier than, this time going through the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nevertheless, they bucked the development tonight, largely enjoying from round ten behind by means of the primary three quarters however by no means actually letting the sport get away from them earlier than exploding within the fourth quarter for an exhilarating come-from-behind win, arguably their better of the season.
Regardless of some errors early, similar to committing a few fouls and turning the ball over after a rebound, Victor Wembanyama, who’s cleared to play in back-to-backs once more, was feeling it with a few threes. He ended his first stint with 12 factors and the Spurs up 18-16, however as soon as once more the Spurs struggled as soon as Wemby left the court docket, giving up a 12-0 run and recognizing the Timberwolves a 29-20 lead with simply over two minutes to left. They couldn’t rating in opposition to the league’s high ranked protection whereas Minnesota continued obtained no matter they needed on offense (together with 10 free throws), and the quarter ended with the Spurs down 36-23.
Doug McDermott lastly broke the ice from three for anybody not named Wemby early within the second quarter, and the Spurs finally minimize what had been a 15-point deficit down to 6 at 40-34, forcing a Minnesota timeout. The Timberwolves responded with a fast 7-0 run, to get the lead again to double digits, and though Devin Vassell discovered some life on offense, they nonetheless couldn’t get stops on the opposite finish till the Wolves caught the turnover bug within the closing minutes. It was wanting just like the Spurs would possibly have the ability to take a single-digit deficit to halftime because of a 3 from Tre Jones and jumper from Jeremy Sochan, however they gave up 5 fast factors to Anthony Edwards earlier than the buzzer and went to the locker room down 64-52.
Vassell hit a few threes to open the third quarter, however though the offense was higher at discovering beauty in opposition to the Wolves’ stout protection, they nonetheless struggled to essentially put a dent within the lead as Minnesota remained sizzling from the sphere, nonetheless capturing 60% for the sport by the tip of the quarter. Again-to-back threes from Julian Champagnie and Jones briefly minimize the result in seven, however with none form of sustained run, they have been nonetheless down ten heading into the ultimate body, 80-90.
Nevertheless, they lastly obtained going to begin the fourth with a 12-2 run triggered by threes from McDermott and Keldon Johnson and three straight turnovers by Minnesota. The run continued after a timeout with one other McDermott three to briefly retake the lead, adopted by 5 straight factors from Sochan to set off one other timeout. Wemby took his closing break at this level, however the Spurs continued to carry their very own on offense till he returned because of some robust makes by Vassell.
A Wemby three put the Spurs up by 5 with below two minutes left earlier than Edwards tied issues again up with 30 seconds left with a 3 and reverse layup, sandwiched round two missed Wemby free throws. Johnson’s hustle then obtained the lead again for the Spurs with a free throw off an offensive rebound with seven seconds left. Regardless of in all probability wishing they might have these three missed free throws again, they performed nice protection on the ultimate play after a Minnesota timeout to advance the ball. They pressured an extended move to Edwards deep again into the backcourt, performed him near power him to surrender the ball with glorious assist protection from Johnson, and at last pressured Cities right into a desperation three (once more with assist protection from KJ) that fell quick, preserving the thrilling 113-112 victory.
Video games Notes
Good issues occur for the Spurs when a number of gamers present up, and tonight they obtained good video games from every of their high 5 gamers. Wemby had a strong 23 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in half-hour (what minutes restrictions?). Vassell was explosive all recreation with 25 factors on 11-17 capturing, together with hitting some robust pictures within the fourth quarter. Sochan picked the appropriate time to go off, with 7 of his 13 factors coming throughout the massive run of the fourth quarter, and Jones had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double. Lastly, Johnson was the sparkplug the Spurs want off the bench with 14 factors, which can sound unexciting, however they have been big.
Jones picked up his third foul and needed to sit only a few minutes into the second quarter after a collision with Cities on the quick break, however video overview confirmed the one contact was Cities shoving Jones within the again. Sadly, Pop had already misplaced his problem defending one other name in opposition to Jones within the first quarter (what seemed to be a cost was too near overturn, and the refs upheld the blocking name). So as to add insult to damage, he was later was shoved down by Rudy Gobert within the third quarter, and the ref might be seen telling Pop, “It wasn’t that dangerous”. He simply couldn’t catch a break.
There’s a working joke on Spurs social media that anybody can slap Dominick Barlow within the face and never get referred to as (as a result of it appears to occur rather a lot), and it occurred once more throughout the warmth of the fourth quarter when he was elbowed within the nostril by Cities however was nonetheless referred to as for the foul. Ball don’t lie as a result of he missed the free throw, nevertheless it’s considerably annoying that KAT not solely obtained away with two borderline soiled performs within the recreation, however they have been each by some means referred to as fouls on the Spurs.
It wasn’t almost as hilarious and chaotic as a number of years in the past (which to today nonetheless makes me snort), however a bat interrupted the sport within the first two minutes, and as soon as once more, the Coyote was prepared. Full with Batman costume, he caught it along with his internet earlier than flexing to a cheering crowd. This time the gamers knew to only get out of the best way and let him work, and Gregg Popovich might be seen pointing as much as the suite the place Manu Ginobili was sitting and laughing.
Play of the Recreation
We already lined Wemby’s Shammgod play over Gobert, however even then, there have been far more essential performs on this recreation, maybe none extra so than the ultimate defensive possession. (Does that depend as a play? Who cares.)
This is the ultimate defensive possession to seal the #Spurs win. Watch Keldon Johnson come up for implausible assist protection on each Anthony Edwards to power the move, then KAT to contest the shot.
The reactions from Victor & Keldon say all of it. Nice vitality within the constructing tonight. pic.twitter.com/5fCZCdELr2
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) January 28, 2024
Up subsequent: Monday vs. Washington Wizards
Consider it or not, the Spurs are the one staff within the league that’s undefeated in video games they’re favored to win, which admittedly isn’t many at simply 4-0. Monday must be one other such recreation in opposition to the Wizards, in addition to an opportunity to win three straight for the primary time since December 2022.
