Welcome to the Week in Overview: a Monday function that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a have a look at the week forward, and extra. Get pleasure from!
Week 5: The Spurs confirmed off their depth in a shocking undefeated week, getting wins over high West groups just like the Thunder and Warriors regardless of being short-handed.
Week 6: 2-1 (11-9, tenth in West)
128-115 win @ Utah Jazz (NBA Cup)
Recap: The Spurs saved their NBA Cup hopes alive with their second highway win of the season in opposition to a lowly, injured Jazz membership, using huge nights from the rising “Space 51” duo of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Fortress, who mixed for 57 factors.
What we realized
101-119 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Recap: With each groups enjoying on the second night time of a back-to-back, the Lakers’ position gamers have been the distinction in opposition to a gassed Spurs crew that obtained down huge early and by no means actually threatened to return again exterior of a short third-quarter run.
What we realized
127-125 win @ Sacramento Kings
Recap: After a a lot wanted three-day relaxation, the Spurs have been again on the highway in opposition to a struggling Kings crew that had misplaced 5 of their final 6 video games. Regardless of getting down huge (once more) within the first quarter, the Spurs grinded their method again for an exhilarating win on the again of Wemby’s third profession triple-double and the crew hitting a franchise-record 23 threes.
What we realized
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 14 (final week: 13)
OffRtg: 112.2 (19) DefRtg: 112.2 (13) NetRtg: -0.0 (16) Tempo: 98.9 (16)
The Spurs seem legit, having climbed above .500 and staying there with a comeback win in Sacramento on Sunday.
Three takeaways
1. The Spurs are a second-half crew, 18.3 factors per 100 possessions higher after halftime (plus-9.2, fourth finest) than earlier than halftime (minus-9.1, third worst). They’ve misplaced the primary quarter in every of their final six video games (and by double-digits 3 times in that stretch), however have gained 5 of the six.
2. The larger distinction between the first-half Spurs and the second-half Spurs has been on offense and has been as a lot about free throw price and turnover price because it’s been about taking pictures. Among the many six Spurs with not less than 50 discipline objective makes an attempt earlier than and after halftime, Julian Champagnie has the largest differential in efficient discipline objective proportion (51.0% within the first half, 62.5% within the second half).
3. Total, the Spurs rank because the league’s second-most-improved crew relating to successful proportion and its fifth-most-improved crew relating to level differential per 100 possessions.
The Spurs will win West Group B in the event that they win their NBA Cup finale in Phoenix on Tuesday. It’s their first assembly with the Suns, who they beat 3 times final season. It’s additionally a possibility for Victor Wembanyama to go head-to-head with Kevin Durant, the Suns’ main defender on Wembanyama within the three video games the reigning Kia Rookie of the Yr performed in opposition to the Suns in 2023-24.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 15 (final week: 13)
Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes will not be the identical gamers they have been earlier of their respective careers, but these two veterans have helped set a normal for the San Antonio Spurs. This youthful crew within the West has gained 5 of their final six video games and wins in opposition to the likes of the Warriors, Thunder, and Kings can’t be ignored. The Spurs are beginning to kind themselves right into a respectable menace, and naturally, no one needs to play them with Victor Wembanyama evolving into an All-Star expertise. Between their passing and talent to get to the free-throw line, the Spurs are a sneaky crew within the high half of the NBA energy rankings.
Arising: Tues. 12/3 @ Phoenix Suns (NBA Cup); Thurs. 12/5 vs. Chicago Bulls; Fri. 12/6 vs. Sacramento Kings; Solar. 12/8 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Prediction: 4-0 — It is a dangerous wager that I most likely wouldn’t put cash on, however screw it, I’m going with an enormous undefeated week. The Bulls, Kings and Pelicans don’t scare me at dwelling, however the huge one is tomorrow in Phoenix. The Suns have struggled with harm and misplaced 6 of their final 8 video games after a scorching begin to the season, and everybody remembers the magical two video games the Spurs had in Phoenix early final season (earlier than the notorious November stoop). Simply so as to add some additional motivation, if the Spurs win, they head to the NBA Cup Match since they personal the tie-breaker over the Thunder of their group. Who noticed that coming?
