After struggling mightily all through most of January, maybe the San Antonio Spurs simply wanted a change of surroundings? They put a beat down on the Indiana Pacers within the first of their two video games in Victor Wembanyama’s homeland to the tune of 140-110, wanting like issues have been lastly clicking for them as soon as once more. That 140-mark is essentially the most factors that the staff has scored in a sport this complete season, whereas the margin of victory was the largest of the yr as effectively. They’ve an opportunity to shut out this worldwide journey with one other massive efficiency in opposition to Indiana, and after what has been a making an attempt time these previous couple of weeks, maybe it may be the catalyst the staff wanted to shake off January as February and the All Star break approaches.
San Antonio Spurs (20-22) vs Indiana Pacers (24-20)
January 25 2025 | 11:00 AM CT
Watch: ESPN | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: None
Pacers Accidents: None
What to observe for
Victor Wembanyama hadn’t regarded like himself actually since that first sport in opposition to Denver at the start of the month, a minimum of not just like the man he gave the impression to be shortly turning into.He’s struggled along with his shot a bit this month and even had a sport in opposition to Milwaukee the place it felt like he wasn’t even seeking to shoot the ball. As is the case across the league for many groups, the Spurs are going to wrestle to win video games in opposition to virtually anybody within the league if he’s not enjoying like he’s the perfect participant on the courtroom. Thursday’s breakout in his homecoming in opposition to Indiana was the primary time he’s reached the 30-point mark since that first Denver sport, an encouraging signal. One thing to keep watch over: He’s probably not attending to the free throw line. Thursday’s sport marked the 4th time in his final 7 video games the place he failed to try a single free throw.
Tyrese Halliburton hasn’t had the explosive season that he appeared destined for after Indiana’s run to the Japanese Convention Finals final season. He didn’t mild it up in Act 1 in opposition to the Spurs on this journey, being held to only 13 factors and seven assists. Conserving Halliburton in examine makes issues that rather more tough on the remainder of Indiana’s offense.
Devin Vassell had a ridiculously environment friendly taking pictures efficiency within the win Thursday, going 9-13 from the ground and 5/6 from past the arc on his solution to 25 factors. Vassell has taken a again seat greater than as soon as this season due to the breakout play of Wembanymama and, to a lesser extent, Stephon Fort, however as arguably the perfect shooter out of any of the starters, the Spurs want him to remain aggressive and environment friendly. He’s now scored a minimum of 20 in every of the final 5 video games.
Pascal Siakam is the man that Indiana feels most comfy giving the ball to after they want somebody to create a bucket out of nothing. He had an environment friendly outing within the first sport in France, however was held to only 18 factors. If given the possibility (and the seems), he’s greater than able to going off for a 30-point sport.
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