Welcome to the Week in Overview! We try one thing new, the place as an alternative of writing out an entire abstract of the week, hyperlinks are supplied to the recaps and WWL’s, the place you’ll be able to dive deeper into every recreation for those who missed it. Tell us what you assume within the feedback under, and be at liberty to offer suggestions or strategies for future Week in Opinions that may curiosity you. Get pleasure from!
Week 19: The Spurs returned residence from a tough Rodeo Highway Journey with two dominant residence wins towards the postseason-bound Thunder and Pacers.
Week 20: 1-2 (14-50, fifteenth in West)
101-114 L @ Houston Rockets
129-131 L @ Sacramento Kings
126-113 W @ Golden State Warriors
In case you missed it
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 25 (final week: 25)
OffRtg: 109.9 (27) DefRtg: 117.3 (23) NetRtg: -7.5 (26) Tempo: 102.2 (3)
The Spurs have been eradicated from playoff rivalry, however they did get their first win (they had been beforehand 0-7) with out Victor Wembanyama, conserving the Warriors winless with out Stephen Curry.
Two takeaways
1. The final two video games with out Wembanyama have been two of the Spurs’ seven most effective offensive performances of the season (125 factors scored per 100 possessions whole), and the win over the Warriors additionally got here with out Devin Vassell. Keldon Johnson is the Spurs’ rotation participant who has seen the largest drop in utilization price (from 27.3% to 21.8%) with the addition of Wembanyama this season however totaled a team-high 44 factors (off the bench) over the 2 video games. He has an efficient area aim proportion of 59.3% because the All-Star break, up from 51.3% earlier than the break.
2. Wembanyama blocked seven pictures within the recreation (a loss in Houston) during which he sprained his ankle. He has 70 extra blocks than private fouls (193-123), which might be the largest differential for any participant within the final 20 seasons (since Ben Wallace – +84 – in 2003-04). Solely 5 different gamers (among the many 322 who’ve performed at the very least 500 minutes) have extra blocks than fouls this season.
The Spurs will now start the longest homestand for any group this season: eight video games over 15 days. They’re 2-0 at residence because the All-Star break, with each wins having come towards groups — the Thunder and Pacers — with successful data.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — N/A (final week: 25)
N/A — coming quickly
Arising: Mon. 3/11 vs. Golden State Warriors; Tues. 3/12 vs. Houston Rockets; Fri. 3/15 vs. Denver Nuggets (in Austin); Solar. 3/17 vs. Brooklyn Nets (in Austin)
Prediction: 3-1 — One other shot on the Steph Curry-less Warriors with Wemby and certain Devin Vassell again needs to be a win, and the Spurs needs to be revenge-minded towards the Rockets who sadly can be with out Alperen Sengun. (Graphic content material warning for anybody who’s courageous sufficient to lookup his damage from final night time; I’m nonetheless traumatized from accidently watching it and want him nothing however one of the best in his restoration.) I additionally see at the very least one win in Austin, with the Nets being the significantly better guess.
