Welcome to the Week in Evaluation: a Monday characteristic that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a take a look at the week forward, and extra. Get pleasure from!
Week 11: Dealing with a frightening January schedule that would make or break their season, the Spurs obtained off to a stable begin with a win over the Clippers to finish 2024, adopted by splitting a mini-series towards the Denver Nuggets with a win on the highway and OT residence loss to ring within the New 12 months.
Week 12: 0-2 (18-19, twelfth in West)
110-114 loss @ Chicago Bulls
Recap: In maybe their most disappointing lack of the season, the Spurs held a comparatively snug lead virtually the whole recreation, getting no matter they needed and main by as a lot as 19 within the third quarter at the beginning fully fell aside. The Bulls fought again and ended the sport on an 11-0 run throughout the ultimate 4 minutes to steal an essential recreation from the Spurs.
What we discovered
105-121 loss @ Milwaukee Bucks
Recap: Trying to finish their disappointing dropping streak, the Spurs obtained out to a sizzling begin in Milwaukee however have been quickly overwhelmed by the Bucks’ sizzling taking pictures, and the sport went from near blowout earlier than halftime. Victor Wembanyama particularly had considered one of his worst video games of the season, scoring simply 10 factors on 10 pictures, all within the first half, and he appeared overwhelmed on protection towards Giannis Antetokounmpo.
What we discovered
Postponed: Saturday 1/11 @ Los Angeles Lakers
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 20 (final week: 15)
OffRtg: 111.2 (19) DefRtg: 112.1 (13) NetRtg: -0.9 (17) Tempo: 99.3 (16)
The Spurs have misplaced three straight video games to fall again under .500 and into twelfth place within the West.
Three takeaways
1. From Dec. 29 via Feb. 3, the Spurs are taking part in 16 of 17 video games towards groups presently with successful data. The one exception was their recreation in Chicago final Monday once they blew a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead. They have been 14-0 when main by double-digits within the fourth interval via December, however are actually 0-2 in January. Over their 4 January video games, the Spurs have scored 116.2 factors per 100 possessions via the primary three quarters, however simply 79.8 per 100 within the fourth and time beyond regulation.
2. The Spurs went scoreless on their remaining eight possessions in Chicago, turning the ball over twice and taking pictures 0-for-8, with all eight pictures coming not less than 13 toes from the basket. So with the sport on the road, they couldn’t get to the rim towards the protection that yields the second most factors within the paint per 100 possessions.
3. General, the Spurs have taken 44% of their pictures within the paint, the league’s sixth-lowest charge and down from 49% (thirteenth lowest) final season. Victor Wembanyama has taken simply 36% of his pictures within the paint, down from 51% final season. The distinction between how successfully he’s shot within the paint (69.4%) and the way successfully he’s shot from the skin (49.6%) is the fourth greatest differential amongst 146 gamers with not less than 100 discipline aim makes an attempt each in and outdoors the paint.
Their Saturday recreation in L.A. was postponed, however the Spurs are set to play at Crypto.com Enviornment on Monday. Their two losses at residence to the Lakers have been two of their three worst defensive video games (mixed 123.8 factors allowed per 100 possessions) during which Wembanyama has been in uniform.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 16 (final week: 11)
After reaching a season-high within the NBA energy rankings, the San Antonio Spurs have hit a tough patch, dropping three straight video games. Even so, that is nonetheless a proficient Spurs workforce that may get again to the extent they have been taking part in at and exceed expectations. In any case, Wembanyama is within the MVP race, and he’s going to proceed bettering because the season goes on. The identical will be mentioned about different youthful items on this roster like Devin Vassell and Stephon Fort.
Arising: Mon. 1/13 @ Los Angeles Lakers; Wed. 1/15 vs. Memphis Grizzlies; Fri. 1/17 vs. Memphis Grizzlies; Solar. 1/19 @ Miami Warmth
Prediction: 2-2 — It is a tough week to foretell contemplating we haven’t seen the Spurs play for 5 days, amongst different unknowns. It’s onerous to foretell the Lakers recreation: each groups can be rusty however desperate to play. It might principally come right down to how centered/decided the Lakers are contemplating all their metropolis goes via. Then, the Spurs make a much-needed return residence for 2 video games. The Grizzlies can be removed from a simple outing, however we will assume (hope?) they’ll break up the miniseries. Then, who is aware of with the Warmth. Jimmy Butler must be again from suspension, however will that harm or assist them? Regardless of the unknowns, the Spurs simply have to neglect about final week, return to kind, and care for enterprise.
