The San Antonio Spurs had been assigned a troublesome activity with a three-game street journey towards Jap Convention playoff groups. After a blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Spurs gave the Jap Convention’s finest staff, the Cleveland Cavaliers a run for his or her cash. They fell simply brief within the fourth quarter in a 124-116 loss.
San Antonio went with a smaller lineup within the fourth quarter, whereas the Cavaliers performed via their middle, Jarrett Allen, who punished the undersized Spurs. Allen had a game-high 29 factors and 16 rebounds, main Cleveland to victory.
The Spurs gave the Cavs all they may deal with, although. They aggressively defended Cleveland, forcing them to shoot 46.5% from the sector and 35.4% from three. San Antonio brought about the Cavs to cough the ball up resulting in 14 turnovers.
San Antonio’s backcourt confirmed up in an enormous approach. Stephon Fort and Devin Vassell each added 22 factors and made big-time photographs down the stretch. Fort had a well-rounded recreation, attacking the glass for 11 rebounds and discovering his teammates for 8 assists.
Now the Spurs will head to Boston for a recreation towards the defending champion Celtics on Saturday night time.
Observations
Fort scored his 1,000th level on Thursday night time. He’s the ninth quickest Spur to hit that quantity in franchise historical past.
Vassell has hit 49 threes within the month of March, which is essentially the most a Spur has ever made in a month, surpassing Danny Inexperienced’s file of 45. He drained 4 threes on Wednesday night time.
Keldon Johnson was an actual spark plug off the bench, ending with 17 factors, 10 rebounds and a couple of steals. His aggressiveness on each side of the ball helped the Spurs hold tempo with the proficient Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell had 14 factors within the win. Loads of these got here from the Spurs overhelping on his drive, the place he might discover cutters or spray out to shooters. Mitchell’s skill to get to the basket towards a one-on-one defender is so arduous to protect and might be one thing the Spurs can considerably replicate with De’Aaron Fox subsequent season.
