What occurs when the most effective workforce within the Western Convention, taking part in at full power faces the worst workforce within the convention lacking three of their finest 4 gamers? Because it seems, a really entertaining recreation! The Nuggets regarded like they have been going to place the sport away early as they took over the sport within the second quarter, however Victor Wembanyama and Sandro Mamukelashvili took over the sport within the second half to convey the Spurs again.
The Spurs performed their asses off within the fourth and whereas they didn’t play completely however they performed a livid last body as they outscored the Nuggets 34-20, with the ultimate factors scored by Devonte’ Graham on a runout to take their first lead since early within the second quarter with lower than a second left on the clock. The Spurs compelled a 5 second name and iced the sport on their finest protection of the evening as they received their greatest win of the season within the penultimate recreation. The Spurs overcame the scoring of Jokic and Jamal Murray with an unimaginable workforce effort, and it was one thing that followers who have been at this recreation will keep in mind for a lifetime.
Observations
That is my last recap of the 2023-2024 season. I in all probability don’t say this sufficient, however I actually recognize the followers and the Pounding The Rock neighborhood. You guys have been a giant a part of my life for one thing like 10 years now, and it’s simply one thing that’s actually invaluable to me and my household. It’s been a bizarre yr, and I’m simply glad that you just’re right here with me.
Within the pregame present, Dan Weiss and Sean Elliott had a dialogue in regards to the “Wemby impact” on protection, the place gamers don’t even try pictures after they see Victor close by they usually have been saying it doesn’t present up within the stats. I’m wondering if that could possibly be captured statistically? Might you have a look at the typical shot distance when Victor is on the court docket vs when he’s not? I guess it’s a measurable distinction.
The Nuggets revealed their defensive technique after they received referred to as for a defensive three second infraction 13 seconds into the sport. The Spurs had their very own defensive three second name later within the quarter, which was pricey as Jokic made the free throw and likewise hit a triple on the identical possession.
Denver was again at full power tonight after Jamal Murray missed the final recreation towards the Spurs. The Spurs had a ragtag group with Victor Wembanyama as the one participant from the common beginning lineup. It actually didn’t appear like a fair combat on paper. However the recreation isn’t performed on paper, and the Spurs confirmed their mettle tonight as they fought their approach to a win.
Mamukelashvili appears to be like like a significantly better participant when he’s on the court docket with Victor. It’s superb, isn’t it? His recreation is movement dependent, and when he’s surrounded by guys who can’t transfer it’s not good. It was a catastrophe in Oklahoma Metropolis.
The Spurs led 32-31 after a terrific begin from Wembanyama and total strong workforce play.
Sidy Cissoko is manner forward of the place I assumed he’s be this season. He’s a pest on protection, and he has a nascent offensive recreation. I assumed he was at the least going to want a few years to develop into a rotation participant, however he appears to be like like he may play quite a bit subsequent season.
Zach isn’t a very good defender, however when his shot is on, he’s received worth. He helped to maintain the Spurs within the recreation in stretches the place Wemby sat by hitting well timed pictures.
Jokic is fairly intelligent with utilizing his physique, beat by Victor within the paint, he gave a refined push (not that refined, however it wasn’t referred to as) and turned a straightforward dunk right into a turnover. This clearly pissed off Victor, who received referred to as for a technical foul later within the quarter on a Jamal Murray flop.
The Nuggets stress paid off within the second quarter because the Spurs solely scored 18 within the body whereas Denver scored a turnover fueled 37 to steer 68-50 on the half.
Jamal Murray missed the earlier recreation 10 days in the past, and his presence within the lineup made an enormous distinction as he scored 21 within the first half and was a significant drive behind the Nuggets taking up the sport earlier than halftime.
This recreation confirmed an space the place Victor wants to enhance. The Nuggets created house and manufactured turnovers by shoving him round, and it clearly bothered him. He’s by no means going to be a bruiser like Cissoko, however he’ll get stronger and more durable to maneuver as he builds himself up and learns to make use of higher leverage towards stronger gamers. It’s going to occur ultimately.
Victor placed on a present within the third quarter as he received scorching from past the arc, hitting what appeared like 20 three-point pictures in a row. [It was four.] He single-handedly introduced the Spurs again into competition, and as they turned up the protection, it was a recreation once more. The Spurs reduce the result in simply six at a few factors within the quarter, however the final three minutes weren’t fairly as type to the Silver and Black because the Nuggets completed the third quarter on a run and led 100-87.
The Spurs went on prolonged run in the midst of the fourth to as soon as once more make the sport shut, and essentially the most spectacular a part of it’s that it occurred with Victor on the bench and Jokic on the court docket.
The Joker received his fifth foul with three minutes left with Victor taking a cost, and it was beginning to appear like this could possibly be the upset of the season. The final couple of minutes have been unimaginable to look at because the Spurs couldn’t be denied and willed themselves to a win.
The Spurs have yet another recreation this season, at 2:30 PM Sunday towards the Pistons, who’ve been horrible this yr. It’s the type of recreation that’s going to be fully unpredictable, as a result of each groups is perhaps fully checked out, or they may play with the liberty you solely get from figuring out that the following recreation is sort of half a yr away. Should you’re a tough core fan, and I do know you’re, you’re going to be watching that.
