Nobody can say the Spurs lacked effort of their 141-124 loss to the Timberwolves. They merely ran right into a superior opponent that all the time discovered scoring when San Antonio took away their most popular choices and took benefit of their measurement to get offensive boards and their superior outdoors taking pictures to cruise into victory.
It wasn’t an auspicious begin for the Spurs, which logged two fast turnovers and couldn’t get stops on the opposite finish. They discovered their footing rapidly sufficient to forestall the Timberwolves from operating away with it within the first quarter, however there have been too many mismatches for Minnesota to assault and San Antonio’s protection had no solutions. The second unit confirmed the one technique to provide resistance was by enjoying a particularly energetic and at instances reckless fashion of protection that required leaving some opponents open to remove the house group’s most popular scoring choices. It labored, because the Wolves continued to hit pictures and make performs, however they misplaced the tight grip they’d on the sport. The lead after one was simply eight, which was a unbelievable consequence for the Silver and Black, contemplating how issues had been wanting earlier on.
The chaotic nature of the primary quarter solely acquired extra pronounced within the second. It benefitted the Spurs, which appeared to embrace being continually in rotation and zooming across the courtroom, serving to early and recovering. There have been some good minutes from Sandro Mamukelashvili and even a Blake Wesley look, which signaled Mitch Johnson’s willingness to seek out other ways to match up with the house group. Stephon Fort and De’Aaron Fox carried the load on offense and everybody performed with urgency on the opposite finish. The draw back of the shortage of construction on protection was some second-chance factors and open three-pointers for the Wolves however the tradeoff was price it, a minimum of at that time. On the break, the guests continued to only path by eight.
The large downside for San Antonio on Sunday was that they might keep in by enjoying onerous however may by no means make a run. Minnesota seemed higher on offense to begin the third however the Silver and Black, led by its veterans, put sufficient factors on the board to forestall the deficit from getting uncontrolled. Because the second unit checked in, it appeared like the proper time to make that elusive push, however alas, it didn’t occur regardless of some nice minutes from Stephon Fort. After that, the Wolves tightened up on protection, which allowed them to run and get straightforward buckets as an alternative of making an attempt to grind issues out within the half-court. As they did all sport, the Spurs saved combating however merely didn’t have the firepower to be a real risk to a superior opponent. Heading into the ultimate interval, the lead was 15.
There was not a lot suspense within the fourth. The Wolves continued to maneuver the ball whereas the Spurs chased it, they usually retained their benefit on the offensive glass and from past the arc. An premature drought from the Silver and Black allowed the hosts to increase the lead and, with the Mavericks ready on Monday on the second sport of a back-to-back, Johnson emptied his bench. A valiant effort led to defeat as a result of expertise, athleticism and measurement beat moxie, more often than not.
Recreation notes
The Timberwolves tied a season-high with 38 assists and had been one three shy from tying their season-high for made threes. In addition they had eight gamers in double digits. The Spurs tried to pressure them to depend on ball motion to beat them and Minnesota managed to do it.
After an inefficient scoring outing in his return to Sacramento, Fox discovered his contact from outdoors and poured in 4 threes. The one different two Spurs who made a couple of outdoors shot had been Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell. It’s onerous to win whenever you make 10 fewer threes than your opponent.
Chris Paul is getting more durable to cover on protection. The Spurs put him on Jaden McDaniels and the Wolves had been joyful to let McDaniels prepare dinner early. Having him on shooters as an alternative of the point-of-attack means he’s the low man usually and has to assist on the glass and he simply can’t do it. Paul organizes the offense and creates turnovers however his limitations are simply onerous to hide, particularly in double level guard items.
Bismack Biyombo and Jeremy Sochan had been each superb, contemplating the Wolves’ measurement benefit. The problem is that since they will’t play collectively, the extra Biyombo performs, the much less Sochan might be on the ground. There’s no straightforward resolution, as Bassey is much like Biyombo, and Mamu at heart gives zero rim safety. Roster building points do not make issues straightforward for the younger ahead, turned backup heart.
Stephon Fort had one other robust sport, ending with 20 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists and exhibiting that he’s slowly discovering consistency. The surface shot stays his greatest weak point (0-for-2 on Sunday), however he may want an offseason to repair it.
Devin Vassell has been much more energetic on protection lately, which is unbelievable information. He’ll doubtless by no means be an above-average man defender, however Fort and Sochan ought to be the Spurs’ guys on the ball going ahead whereas Vassell makes his mark off the ball. Arguably crucial factor the remainder of the best way is for Vassell to proceed to seem like a two-way participant.
The Spurs’ different younger vet, Keldon Johnson, can be giving followers causes for optimism. He appears to be like extra assured and is constant to assault the rim fearlessly. He completed with 13 factors, 4 rebounds and two assists.
Play of the sport
Bouncing the ball off an opponent on the inbound will all the time be humorous.
Subsequent sport: vs. Dallas Mavericks on Monday
The Spurs will host the injury-riddled (and probably cursed?) Mavs on a SEGABABA. Can they win one after dropping eight straight?
