Welcome to the Week in Assessment: a Monday function that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a take a look at the week forward, and extra. Take pleasure in!
Week 19: After a few tough losses — their second straight blown double-digit lead in New Orleans and a wire-to-wire blowout loss in Houston — the Spurs concluded the Rodeo Street Journey with a stunning win in Memphis after constructing only a large enough result in not utterly blow, adopted by lastly returning dwelling for the primary time in a month to place up an offensive battle (however to no avail) towards the Thunder.
Week 20: 1-2 (26-36, thirteenth in West)
127-113 win vs. Brooklyn Nets
Recap: The Spurs continued to experience their offensive momentum of the final couple video games to win in entrance of their dwelling crowd for the primary time in over a month, led by a profession night time of 37 factors and eight threes from Devin Vassell. It didn’t harm that they performed a extra “regular” recreation than standard, taking part in a stable first half earlier than placing their opponent away within the second (versus getting out large early then holding on for pricey life as they inevitably collapse).
What we discovered
109-127 loss at Sacramento Kings
Recap: The Spurs’ offense got here again all the way down to earth after the final three video games, going utterly stagnant (significantly within the second quarter) whereas the Kings exploded from three. The Spurs tried to make issues attention-grabbing within the fourth quarter, however the Kings all the time had a solution, and the outlet that they had dug themselves was too deep to climb out of.
What we discovered
124-141 loss at Minnesota Timberwolves
Recap: Operating into one more staff that was purple scorching from three and seemingly couldn’t miss, the Spurs did their greatest to maintain up with the Timberwolves for 3 quarters, however regardless of a robust taking pictures night time from contained in the arc, ultimately the twos couldn’t counter the threes anymore, and the Wolves pulled away within the fourth at hand the Spurs their second straight loss.
What we discovered
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 21 (final week: 20)
OffRtg: 112.8 (17) DefRtg: 115.4 (24) NetRtg: -2.6 (21) Tempo: 100.1 (12)
The Spurs obtained a win over Brooklyn on Tuesday, however weren’t very aggressive in Sacramento or Minnesota over the weekend.
Three takeaways
1. Taking part in with out Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs rank twenty eighth defensively (121.9 factors allowed per 100 possessions) for the reason that All-Star break, having seen the league’s greatest bounce in factors allowed per 100 possessions from earlier than the break (114.1, nineteenth). There have been 21 video games this season the place a staff scored no less than 30 second-chance factors, and two of the 21 got here towards the Spurs within the final three days.
2. Stephon Fort continues to return off the bench, however has been the Spurs’ main scorer (23.3 factors per recreation) during the last six video games. He’s seen large jumps within the share of his pictures which have come within the paint (61% vs. 53% prior) and his discipline purpose share within the paint (64.6% vs. 52.5%).
3. The Spurs abruptly have a possibility to seize the ultimate SoFi Play-In Match spot within the West. They path the Tenth-place Mavs by three video games within the loss column and Dallas is depleted and reeling. Plus, the groups will play two video games in San Antonio this week. The opposite two video games on the Spurs’ homestand are towards the Hornets and Pelicans.
After all, the Spurs path Dallas by six video games within the win column and have a jam-packed schedule going ahead. Their loss in Minnesota on Sunday started their second stretch of 5 video games in seven days.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 23 (final week: 24)
Now 4.5 video games again of the 10-seed within the West, the San Antonio Spurs are on their technique to one other lottery choose. This isn’t the worst state of affairs on this planet, because the Spurs discover themselves in an excellent place shifting ahead with De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyma having a full offseason to work alongside each other. Plus, the potential of a prime choose becoming a member of the combo creates a ton of intrigue in San Antonio.
Developing: Mon. 3/10 vs. Dallas Mavericks; Wed. 3/12 vs. Dallas Mavericks; Fri. 3/14 vs. Charlotte Hornets; Sat. 3/15 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Prediction: 3-1 — It could not have been the case a month in the past, however this has abruptly grow to be the best stretch of schedule this whole season with 4 dwelling, all video games towards unhealthy groups. The Mavs inexplicably traded Luka Doncic, have misplaced Kyrie Irving and presumably Derek Vigorous and Anthony Davis for the season, and have been down to only 7 wholesome gamers final night time. Now, the Spurs get them two video games in a row at dwelling, together with unhealthy Hornets and Pelicans groups the Spurs must be out for revenge towards after blowing giant results in them in three RRT matchups.
In one other world the place the Spurs are wholesome and pushing for the play-in, I’d predict 4-0 in a heartbeat. HOWEVER, that is the Spurs we’re speaking about: they’re lacking Victor Wembanyama and subsequently haven’t any supply of rim safety, they haven’t gained their final 9 SEGABABA’s, and this week (together with final night time) is a FIGASENI. In consequence, I can’t enable myself to say 4-0, however my fingers additionally refuse to kind 2-2 (moreover proper right here) as a result of the Spurs are admittedly a significantly better staff at dwelling (and sure, I’ll most likely remorse this). If nothing else, it will likely be an intriguing week with no “scheduled losses”.
