After utilizing a robust third quarter and dazzling show of Lovely Basketball of their opening efficiency in Paris in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, the San Antonio Spurs have been hoping to placed on an encore for his or her second act. Sadly, they ran right into a puffed up, motivated Pacers squad who took Thursday’s embarrassment personally and have been all too prepared to return the favor.
The Pacers have been aggressive on protection from the outset, utilizing the complete courtroom press to hassle the Spurs your entire sport, whereas on offense it was a layup line as they drew Victor Wembanyama to the perimeter. Harrison Barnes was the principle supply of offense for the Spurs early with 11 of their first 18 factors, however careless passing and the Pacers successful all of the 50-50 balls stored the Spurs from with the ability to make a run, ending the primary quarter down 33-24.
Wemby lastly gave the French crowd one thing to cheer about within the second quarter with a 12-point flurry, starting with a excessive flying not-quite-a-dunk throwdown and banking in a 3 to get the Spurs again inside six, forcing a Rick Carlisle timeout. The Spurs’ effort remained excessive for some time, and so they lastly tied issues up at 39-apiece, however issues fell aside once more from there. The threes stored falling for the Pacers, and the Spurs couldn’t hold them off the offensive glass, ceding 14 factors off 11 offensive rebounds in addition to 14 factors off 12 turnovers within the half, and the Indiana completed on a 15-3 run to take a 65-50 lead into the break.
The Spurs began the third quarter extra ready for the Pacers’ full courtroom press, getting the ball down the courtroom shortly for a few and-1’s from Stephon Fortress and Harrison Barnes. Aside from a Chris Paul free throw off a technical on Benedict Mathurin, these two scored the Spurs’ first 18 factors of the quarter, and a Wemby drive lastly gave them their first lead at 77-76. Sadly, as soon as he went to the bench moments later, the Pacers responded with a 19-6 run, primarily on the again of Tyrese Haliburton. Nearly all of the exhausting work the Spurs did to get again within the sport was undone by the top of the third quarter because the Pacers took a 98-86 lead into the fourth, solely saved by a Barnes three with 0.4 seconds left.
The Spurs continued to have hassle holding onto the ball within the fourth, stopping them from occurring any sort of last-ditch run whereas handing the Pacers solutions to any of their baskets. Indiana by no means relented and shortly put issues away, outscoring the Spurs 38-12 within the fourth quarter for a blowout 136-98 loss. Whereas the Spurs obtained one win out of the journey, their January struggles proceed, and the schedule doesn’t get any simpler subsequent week.
Recreation Notes
The brand new rotation with out Charles Bassey or Zach Collins has had blended outcomes. Within the two video games in Paris, Wemby subbed out a little bit earlier within the first quarter when Jeremy Sochan subbed in, then Sandro Mamukelashvili got here again in with Wemby instead of Harrison Barnes. It was profitable on Thursday, as Sochan was in full beast mode and Mamu confirmed off his normal chemistry with Wemby, however not a lot at the moment. It actually can’t be blamed on anybody since outdoors of that one run within the third quarter, nothing was going proper for the Spurs. It could change up once more if Sochan returns to the beginning lineup, however I wouldn’t thoughts seeing extra Mamu.
Wemby appeared visibly pissed off with the physicality of this sport, and at occasions it was justified. The Pacers have been very handsy and stripped plenty of the Spurs’ drives, nevertheless it was exhausting to see what number of truly included contact. Nevertheless, there was one drive within the third quarter the place he very clearly obtained whacked on the elbow with no name, and he confirmed some uncommon emotion in direction of the refs. Though the Spurs ended up with a 11 extra free throw makes an attempt than the Pacers, it was nonetheless a bodily, irritating sport.
This was very a lot a story of two halves for Fortress. He had a really tough first half, continuously getting devoured up as he drove to the basket and blown by on protection. He and Barnes had that large run to open the third quarter to get the Spurs again within the sport, however outdoors of that, you may argue that he tried to drive the difficulty an excessive amount of, ending with a team-high 20 shot makes an attempt (with simply 7 makes) in comparison with 16 for Wemby and eight for Devin Vassell. Nonetheless, Fortress additionally contributed 6 rebounds and 6 assists and really wasn’t a giant a part of the Spurs turnover downside, plus he confirmed why he may very well have a shot on the dunk contest.
Play of the Recreation
Because the Spurs have been making their comeback try, this behind the again move to Vassell from Chris Paul gave the Spurs hope.
Up subsequent: Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Spurs return dwelling for 3 video games subsequent week forward of the Rodeo Street journey, nevertheless it received’t be a straightforward slate, starting with the Clippers, who’ve Kawhi Leonard again and searching strong. Will the followers heed Pop’s phrase and maintain again on the boo-birds? We’ll discover out!
