The Spurs have had an terrible lot of video games this season that went all the way down to the wire, they usually’ve gained the vast majority of these video games. It’s been nice to look at as a fan. In spite of everything, what’s extra thrilling than crunch time? Properly, Thursday’s residence win towards the Atlanta Hawks confirmed what’s extra thrilling: 5 minutes of further crunch time.
After that nailbiter, I used to be kinda thirsty for a recreation through which the Spurs, you understand, don’t go head-to-head with the opposition for 48 minutes, don’t relinquish a significant lead however maintain on, don’t compensate for a significant lead and prevail, however one through which they simply lead throughout. The basketball gods had been content material: The Spurs cruised to victory at residence towards the Blazers within the sort of no-doubt stomping that will have accomplished any period of Spurs fan proud
Are you already doing Christmas events or hangouts with relations and associates from out of state who don’t share your love of the Spurs and had been making an attempt to drag you away from the TV? This recreation was for you, as residence staff had the sport sewed up by the center of the third quarter, permitting you to affix the crew, safe that the victory wasn’t doubtful. Are you a watch-every-minute fan who’d by no means schedule any vacation occasion that competes a Spurs top-off? Properly, the nice guys gained each quarter and Sidy Cissoko bought on the board. What’s to not love about that?
Takeaways
We already knew, but it surely’s definitely welcome to be reassured that Victor Wembanyama doesn’t have to seize 10 rebounds to document a double double. He can simply rating 30 factors and block 10 photographs when a staff insists on difficult him on the rim. Curiously, it got here in a recreation through which he surpassed David Robinson’s up to now franchise-leading streak of 61 consecutive video games with not less than one block.
It took Wemby a while to get right into a scoring groove although, nearly all the first half. The Blazers put their wings on him, Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija, and their wings did a greater job on Wemby than their bigs — though that’s a relative measure on an evening Vic popped for 30 factors…
With two consecutive threes to finish the second quarter, Wemby lastly broke free and half-time couldn’t break his momentum, as he just about roamed free within the third quarter. Most significantly, he managed to stay environment friendly from deep, going 4 out of 8.
Talking of capturing, the Spurs had a blowout win within the NBA regardless that they had been 10 from 36 from deep – within the 2024/25 season, that’s fairly the low-volume/low-efficiency efficiency.
Interim head coach Mitch Johnson continued experimenting with lineups, with rubbish time not likely the explanation why many guys you’ll count on to play extra minutes – together with Sochan, Vassell, and Barnes – all enjoying solely 24 minutes or much less.
Probably the most outstanding personnel matter, subsequent to Wemby after all, was the efficiency of a sure Charles Bassey, who continues to get higher and higher. Chuck contributed 16 factors and 12 rebounds in solely 18 minutes. It’s good to see a Spurs backup large have an undeniably good recreation. No notes. Simply take this momentum on the street, Charlie.
Each Sochan and Fortress scored inefficiently from the sphere, they usually possibly shouldn’t share the court docket too typically in the interim. Each should be concerned within the offensive motion for spacing to not be ruined. It’s not an excellent state of affairs.
Nonetheless, each of them thrived aiding their teammates, which is nothing new for Fortress, however nonetheless kinda outstanding for Sochan, specifically the chemistry between him and Wemby retains rising. (An extended-term impact of final season’s “Level Sochan” Experiment? I believe so.)
There was one thing to be taught within the post-game on-court interview between Dan Weis and Victor Wembanyama as properly: the 16:9 side ratio isn’t one of the best one when an individual of regular top is interviewing Wemby.
