Some say there isn’t any such factor as a “scheduled” loss. However dealing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the second sport of a back-to-back is about as powerful because it will get from a scheduling perspective – even when the Los Angeles Lakers have been in the identical boat. A low-energy San Antonio Spurs squad was outmatched all night time as they misplaced to the Lakers, 117-99, falling to 10-9 on the season.
San Antonio jumped out to a fast 9-2 win and seemed like they’d have the juice to offer the Lakers a troublesome sport coming off a sport on Tuesday. The Lakers took that preliminary punch and responded by grabbing a 32-23 lead within the first, and by no means gave it up for the remainder of the sport.
The Spurs by no means fairly discovered their footing offensively and struggled to seek out constant manufacturing from its scorers. They shot 42.4% from the sphere and 35% from deep whereas turning the ball over 15 occasions. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 20 factors, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, however he shot simply 9-20 from the sphere and 2-9 from deep.
Struggling on the offensive finish is one factor, however these drained legs translated to the defensive finish, too. The Lakers acquired nearly no matter they wished, capturing 53.3% from the sphere and 38.2% from three. Los Angeles outscored the Spurs within the paint 58-42 and out-rebounded them 46-38. San Antonio missed rotations within the half-court and struggled to protect the Lakers after they attacked in transition.
“I believed our physicality and conviction at first of the sport wasn’t there,” mentioned Spurs appearing coach Mitch Johnson. “That was disappointing, particularly in a sport the place you may have an opposition that isn’t going to offer you something.”
“We have been in 1-5 crimson (man-to-man protection, switching every little thing) in order that requires a whole lot of physicality and communication, and I believed our guys executed that to an awesome degree,” mentioned Lakers head coach JJ Redick. “We did an awesome job of containing the basketball and never getting unfold out.”
The Lakers acquired sturdy performances from their superstars. LeBron James had a triple-double with 16 factors, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Anthony Davis had 19 factors, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. They managed the sport on each ends, particularly Davis, who was a pressure inside.
It was the Lakers supporting forged that actually rose to the problem. Los Angeles had 7 gamers rating double-digit factors. Dalton Knecht had 20 factors, together with 4 deep balls and eight rebounds. D’Angelo Russell offered a activate the bench with 17 factors and 5 assists.
The Spurs acquired strong performances from their wings, significantly within the second and third quarters when it appeared the Spurs may come again. Devin Vassell performed his first sport since coming back from a knee damage that sidelined him for five video games. He had 14 factors off the bench and a couple of steals whereas capturing 2-3 from three.
“He seemed good,” Johnson mentioned. “We all know Devin goes to have the ability to rating and assist us out as he continues to seek out his rhythm. We simply must proceed to construct him again into the material of the crew, and I don’t suppose that may take lengthy.”
Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes helped maintain the Spurs within the sport till the Lakers ran away with it within the fourth. Barnes was automated from deep, capturing 5-6 from deep on his strategy to 19 factors. Champagnie gave the Spurs a little bit of every little thing offensively, attacking closeouts and connecting from three. He had 18 factors and 5 rebounds on 6-12 capturing from the sphere.
After the back-to-back, the Spurs have three days off earlier than they head to Sacramento for a matchup with the Kings on Sunday. It’s the primary sport of a two-game street journey that features an vital NBA Cup matchup in opposition to the Phoenix Suns subsequent Tuesday.
“I might hope (the loss) is just not a warmth examine,” Johnson mentioned. Later, he added, “We’re beginning to hopefully get just a little bit more healthy, so I’ll let you know in per week or two if (the time without work) was an excellent factor.”
