The losses hold piling up for the Spurs, who dropped their seventh straight after falling to the Nets, 123-103. Cam Thomas scored 25 nevertheless it was a fantastic group efficiency from Brooklyn, which had six gamers in double digits. In distinction, solely three gamers scored 10 factors or extra for San Antonio, which stays winless within the Rodeo Highway Journey.
The Spurs actually struggled on offense within the first half, counting on jumpers for factors because the Nets did a very good job of holding Wembanyama away from the paint. Threes have been falling for the house group as effectively, which allowed them to carve out a double-digit lead, however their lack of ability to protect with out fouling gave San Antonio sufficient journeys to the road to remain inside hanging distance.
The Nets took management of the sport within the third quarter regardless of dealing with a red-hot Wembanyama. San Antonio’s protection was not ok on Saturday, which doomed them as their opponent did a very good job of stopping simple buckets in transition and inside. The Spurs stored it shut for so long as they may, however ultimately, it was a straightforward win for the house group, which at one level led by 28 factors.
Observations
Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama are slowly growing a very good two-man sport within the half-court, however Vassell wants to determine find out how to move him the ball in transition. Within the final two video games he has underthrown passes when Victor had a smaller participant on him within the paint fronting him, leading to turnovers.
Opponents are studying that they will transfer Wembanyama after they go instantly at his chest. Up to now two video games, Victor has been dunked on by Mo Wagner and Nic Claxton, as the 2 facilities have simply gone instantly at him and pushed him beneath the rim.
It’s at all times attention-grabbing to see what occurs when Wembanyama rests. The bench struggled and allowed the opponent to open up a large lead within the first quarter however they bounced proper again with Keldon Johnson and Cedi Osman main the way in which on offense. The second time Wemby rested, the Nets gained some separation once more, because the Spurs struggled to attain till Vassell and Johnson took over. Within the third stint, the bench was -6 largely on account of some defensive errors. The second unit did moderately effectively this time and it wasn’t the rationale for the rout.
The Spurs oscillate between lacking Wembanyama when he’s open or has a mismatch and attempting to drive the ball to him when he’s not in place or the angle for the entry move is dangerous. They clearly need to get him concerned however some guys don’t have the imaginative and prescient or contact to make robust passes and those who do then attempt to make up for it on the improper occasions. Because of this, the offense usually doesn’t circulation when Wemby is on the ground, which shouldn’t be a factor.
Talking of Wemby, he appeared torpid and a step slower at occasions on protection however got here alive within the third by hitting outdoors photographs. His barrage stored the Spurs in it for some time nevertheless it’s at all times greatest when Wemby doesn’t should depend on his jumper.
Zach Collins must be cautious with the popularity he appears to be constructing with officers. If he’s seen as a grimy or overly bodily participant, which appears to be the case proper now, he received’t ever get the good thing about the doubt. He obtained in foul bother within the first half and Pop picked Dominick Barlow as the primary huge off the bench within the second half. Collins wants to seek out his rhythm and he received’t be capable to do it if he can’t keep on the ground.
It could be time to revise the Spurs’ coverage of “whoever will get the board pushes the tempo.” Some guys, together with Wemby, are simply not ok ball handlers to navigate site visitors. There have been a couple of possessions that resulted in turnovers or wasted transition alternatives as a result of the improper gamers have been attempting to steer the break.
Former Spur Lonnie Walker IV obtained a couple of minutes however didn’t have any impression on the sport.
For the Nets followers’ perspective, go to Nets Day by day.
The Spurs will go to Toronto on Monday. In the event that they beat the Raptors, it’s a very good win. In the event that they lose, their probabilities of getting an additional lottery decide improve. Tipoff will probably be at 6:30 PM CT on Bally Sports activities SW.
