Welcome to the Week in Evaluation: 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 23: The Spurs went winless in opposition to a tricky schedule that includes 4 playoff-bound groups, starting with a blowout loss in Detroit as their league-leading March offense got here again to earth and ending with a horrific exhibiting at house in opposition to the Warriors, the place they gave up a season-high 148 factors. It between these video games, they put up two admirable showings in opposition to the East’s two leaders, making each the Cavs and Celtics work till the buzzer for his or her victories.
Week 24: 1-3 (32-46, thirteenth in West)
105-116 loss vs. Orlando Magic (rescheduled)
Recap: In a recreation the place the Spurs ought to have had a uncommon relaxation night time however as a substitute had been making a up a rescheduled recreation, they seemed a lot better than the Warriors recreation and even led by double-figures late within the third quarter, however errors took over from there, and the Magic and their 2nd ranked protection inserted their will to drag away within the fourth quarter.
What we realized
113-106 win at Denver Nuggets
Recap: Aided by the Nuggets resting their total beginning lineup after a 2OT loss the night time earlier than, the equally shorthanded Spurs — who added Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson to their harm checklist — used their depth, with seven gamers scored in double figures, to outlast Denver, main a lot of the approach regardless of being on a SEGABABA themselves. (The Spurs certain do like to play April spoilers for the Nuggets.)
What we realized
113-114 loss vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Recap: After a tough first half by which the Cavs couldn’t miss from three and the Spurs had been down by as a lot as 23, they got here roaring again within the second half. Led by the 2 “Uncs” of the roster, they went on an enormous 14-2 run within the closing minutes to get inside some extent and had an opportunity to steal a win on the buzzer. Sadly, Harrison Barnes’ floater bounced off the again iron for the heartbreaking loss, nevertheless it was nonetheless an admirable effort.
What we realized
109-120 loss at Portland Path Blazers
Recap: As has usually been the case this season, a gradual begin in opposition to the severely shorthanded Path Blazers put the Spurs in too deep of an entire to dig out of. Whereas they fought again and acquired shut a number of occasions, they may by no means fairly get out of their very own approach and over the hump (for instance, the Blazers acquired three buckets off their very own makes when the Spurs turned over the inbound cross). The loss formally eradicated the Spurs from play-in rivalry.
What we realized
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 23 (final week: 23)
OffRtg: 113.4 (18) DefRtg: 116.2 (25) NetRtg: -2.8 (22) Tempo: 100.1 (13)
It was a tricky season in San Antonio, with coach Gregg Popovich struggling a stroke in November and Victor Wembanyama’s season being lower quick on the All-Star break by deep vein thrombosis. The Spurs’ playoff drought has reached six years (second-longest energetic drought), however they’ve been the league’s sixth most improved workforce relating to profitable proportion and seventh most improved statistically (+3.6 factors per 100 possessions). They had been 21-25 within the video games that Wembanyama performed after going 19-52 with him in uniform final season.
One takeaway
With Wembanyama out for the final seven weeks and De’Aaron Fox additionally getting shut down in mid-March, the main focus has been on the event of Stephon Fort. Three-point capturing (28.3%) has been a difficulty for the rookie all season, however he’s been attacking extra because the break (15.2 drives per 36 minutes) than he did prior (10.9 per 36) and ranks thirteenth in free throw fee (33.4 makes an attempt per 100 pictures from the sector) amongst 92 gamers 6-6 or shorter with not less than 500 discipline objective makes an attempt. If the perimeter shot (and ending within the paint) improves within the subsequent few years, Fort can be very powerful to defend.
What to observe for this summer season
Three of the league’s greatest summer season storylines will originate from San Antonio. There’s the continued restoration of Popovich and Wembanyama, together with the way forward for Chris Paul (probably the greatest level guards in NBA historical past). If the Spurs keep the place they’re (eighth) within the upside-down standings, they’ll have a 26% likelihood at one other top-four decide. It’s extra doubtless that they land at No. 8 or 9 within the Draft, with the Hawks’ decide (doubtless No. 10-16) additionally coming their approach.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 23 (final week: 24)
Not a lot has gone proper for the San Antonio Spurs this season, with their stars being out and Gregg Popovich struggling his delicate stroke close to the beginning of the 12 months. The excellent news is that Stephon Fort seems to be in line to win the Rookie of the 12 months award, marking the second straight season that this group has had the perfect first-year participant within the NBA. Might the Spurs do it once more and hit the nail on the top with their spot within the NBA Draft Lottery?
Arising: Tues. 4/8 at Los Angeles Clippers; Wed. 4/9 at Golden State Warriors; Fri. 4/11 at Phoenix Suns; Solar 4/13 vs. Toronto Raptors
Prediction: 2-2 — It’s the top of the season, so why not dream “large”? I wholeheartedly imagine the Spurs will win their season finale at house in opposition to a Raptors workforce they completely beat only a few weeks in the past, and Phoenix, who is 2 video games behind the Mavs for the tenth seed with 4 video games remaining, may very properly be checked out and enjoying for nothing by the point the Spurs arrive. As for the 2 video games earlier than that? The Clippers and Warriors are within the battle of their lives for the playoffs, at present sitting within the Fifth and sixth seeds respectively however in a four-way tie record-wise for Fifth-Eighth, so each single recreation issues. The chances are slim they’ll blow house video games to the shorthanded Spurs with a lot at stake.
