The Spurs made it harder than it needed to be, however they prevailed in opposition to the Timberwolves in a battle of superstars. Anthony Edwards had 55 factors whereas Victor Wembanyama completed with 39 in a detailed sport that featured loads of huge moments for each groups.
The primary half had one fixed for the Spurs: terrific protection that stored their opponent at 22 factors in every quarter. Everybody was nice one which finish, aside from particular performs. The offense was one other story. De’Aaron Fox began out the sport sizzling and Keldon Johnson did his job at main the second unit, however there have been too many turnovers and missed open seems within the first 12 minutes, so San Antonio truly trailed heading into the second quarter.
As soon as the offense caught as much as the protection, the Spurs went on an enormous run. All the things clicked as Citadel dished out assists to Kornet, and the shooters linked from past the arc. But it surely was Victor Wembanyama’s jaw-dropping second-quarter efficiency that helped San Antonio get a 48-point body that gave them an enormous buffer. The Alien bought himself going by attending to the road after which caught hearth from exterior, on his solution to a 20-point interval that had the Silver and Black sitting fairly on the break.
The Wolves, who had been on the second sport of a back-to-back, may have given up. As an alternative, they did what they’ve accomplished to the Spurs previously and fully took management of the sport, chipping away on the lead by principally taking part in with extra power and physicality and beating their opponent down the courtroom in transition. All the things was simple for Minnesota, as they bought into the bonus early and had Julius Randle coming alive to assist a dominant Anthony Edwards. San Antonio reacted to keep away from an even bigger catastrophe, however solely led by 12 after three.
The comeback try continued within the remaining body, with San Antonio’s poor ground steadiness permitting the guests to run off each miss and forcing fouls on the opposite finish. Minnesota’s protection performed with ferocious physicality that the Silver and Black couldn’t match. The Wolves took the lead at one time, Edwards was simply unstoppable, and the Spurs had been doing their greatest to carry on. They did sufficient to present themselves an opportunity at a detailed sport wherein Wemby and Fox had enormous contributions to guide the group to an unpleasant however emotional win.
For the Timberwolves followers’ perspective, go to Canis Hoopus.
The Spurs will host the tanking Jazz on Monday, January 19, at 6 p.m. CT.
