The Spurs performed a spirited preseason contest tonight towards the Jazz that was shut all through. With Victor Wembanyama resting tonight, Pop performed a number of two level guard lineups and it labored fairly properly towards the younger Jazz, who had been resting Lauri Markkannen and a number of other different veterans. Chris Paul’s affect prolonged to the opposite younger Spurs level guards who performed properly, typically on the courtroom with CP3 on the similar time.
The Silver and Black put the sport away within the fourth quarter as Blake Wesley took over and assumed the function the Chris Paul performed earlier within the sport and the Spurs gained by six, with nice video games from Tre Jones, Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson and Stephon Citadel.
Observations
Wemby was out tonight. I believe that a number of followers assume that Victor goes to play massive minutes after averaging about 29 minutes per sport final yr, and lacking 11 video games fully. I believe that’s in all probability what we’ll see once more this yr. There’s no cause to overstress the younger man’s physique.
Tonight was the primary sport for Zach Collins after separating his shoulder within the season finale final season towards the Pistons. He’s beneath contract this yr season subsequent, and the Spurs are on the lookout for extra manufacturing from him this yr and a greater match with Wembanyama.
The Spurs performed each Chris Paul and Tre Jones collectively within the sport, and it type of labored as San Antonio evened the rating after trailing early. Paul received changed by Blake Wesley, who has been one of many brilliant spots of the preseason, and the Spur continued to shine, trailing 27-29 after the primary quarter.
Walker Kessler is an elite rim defender. The Spurs stored making an attempt him, he stored denying them.
The Jazz led 53-52 on the half, led by Cody Williams with 11 factors.
I forgot that Patty Mills was on the Jazz. It’s too unhealthy he didn’t play tonight.
Keldon Johnson certain wears a number of kinesiology tape, but it surely appears to work for him, as he appears to be simply as bodily as he was earlier than he misplaced 20 lbs, and a bit of faster.
Jeremy Sochan appears so much smoother and extra comfy now that he’s not required to be one of many predominant ball handlers on the crew. He’s higher casted as a glue man who can get rebounds and opportunistic factors with out having the ball in his arms the entire time.
Julian Champagnie is precisely what the Spurs want. He’s not an elite athlete, however he’s shooter and he’ll get much more alternatives at open pictures with Chris Paul distributing the rock.
The Jazz received some good minutes from Kyle Filipowski and led 91-88 after three quarters.
Will Hardy is doing an awesome job with this younger crew. They performed rather well collectively though many of the gamers had been rookies and second yr gamers.
The Spurs went on an 10-0 run to start out the fourth quarter triggered by protection. With about 7 minutes left, Chris Paul’s evening was achieved, then Blake Wesley took over and stored it going because the quickest Spur took over the sport breaking down the Jazz protection and distributing the ball to Barnes, Citadel and Mamu for simple baskets.
The Jazz closed issues up however a remaining run led by Wesley, Citadel and Riley Minix closed it out because the Spurs weathered a flurry from Mykhailiuk. Sidy Cissoko additionally had his greatest look of the preseason as he helped the Spurs shut it out 126-120.
The Spurs end out the preseason subsequent week at Miami on Tuesday and in Houston on Thursday evening. The true video games begin for the Spurs on October 24 at Dallas towards Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson and the Mavericks.
