The San Antonio Spurs got here into Sunday’s matchup with the New York Knicks using a excessive. They’ve been enjoying nicely on an 11-game profitable streak, chasing the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for the highest seed within the Western Convention. That streak got here to a screeching halt, because the Knicks held San Antonio to lower than 90 factors for the primary time this season.
The Spurs couldn’t discover their footing towards a troublesome New York protection. Even with Victor Wembanyama having considerably of a bounce-back sport, the crew couldn’t get into any move round him.
Wembanyama had 25 factors, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks within the win. He additionally had 7 of the crew’s 22 turnovers. The Knicks went with Karl-Anthony Cities as Wemby’s major defender, which had combined outcomes. Right here, KAT falls for the pump faux, permitting Wembanyama to get the simple slam.
The Spurs did every part they might to get Wembanyama concerned offensively. They ran a ton of pin-down screens from the corners to get him going towards the basket. The Knicks would swap the display screen, giving Wembanyama a simple have a look at the rim with a smaller defender in entrance of him. The outcome right here is an emphatic slam.
Wemby didn’t simply rating on dunks. This drive to the ring exhibits why guarding him with an opposing huge man on the perimeter is a defensive mistake. He will get an empty aspect isolation right here, the place the closest assist defender is Jalen Brunson. Wemby will get proper round Mitchell Robinson after which goes mainly by way of Brunson for the reverse end.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown advised his crew earlier than the sport to not fall for Wembanyama’s pump fakes. Right here we see why. When Robinson jumps out at Wemby’s faux, it leaves no dimension across the rim to contest him. He can get to the cup simply for a poster jam over OG Anunoby.
Devin Vassell cooled down a bit from the final three video games when it appeared like he couldn’t miss. Nonetheless, he had 18 factors on 7-14 taking pictures from the sphere, and 3-9 from three-point vary. These nook threes in transition are pictures within the arm for the offense. Early within the sport, the Spurs have been operating the break and getting nice seems, however that run was the one profitable scoring stretch that they had within the sport.
Vassell’s capability to not solely stretch the ground from deep, but additionally put the ball on the deck and assault the protection, is essential to the Spurs’ offense. San Antonio has a number of gamers who can get to the paint, and a few who can shoot, however not many who can do each. Vassell fills that area of interest all whereas being the crew’s fourth offensive possibility, which has led to a number of beauty for him this season.
The Spurs struggled with their shot choice on Sunday. The Knicks’ protection didn’t enable them many straightforward pictures, which meant the crew typically settled for contested seems. This pull-up three from Vassell was maybe a bit aggressive, however with Brunson in entrance of him, he knew he might rise and nail the three. Vasell may get extra raise on his jumper than any three-point shooter within the league.
One final Vassell spotlight, as a result of it was oh-so-pretty. He assaults a tough closeout from Mikal Bridges, and hits the news reverse end between Anunoby and Cities—a factor of basketball magnificence.
There are occasions when Dylan Harper seems a bit like a taller, stronger Brunson. He has nice footwork and is left-hand dominant identical to the Knicks’ star guard. He lacks the taking pictures that Brunson has, however he has the flexibility to play at his personal pace and use artful finishes. Right here, he simply form of bullies Brunson, bumping him off of him after which scoring excessive.
Harper’s burst this season has been stunning. When he desires to, he can fly to the rim and end by way of or above contact. Right here, he has a straight line drive and will get a troublesome lefty end to go over KAT.
The Spurs will get a day without work earlier than heading to Philadelphia for a matchup with the 76ers on Tuesday. Take a look at the video beneath to see full highlights from the sport towards the Knicks.
