Two nights after a disappointing loss to the cellar-dwelling Utah Jazz, the Spurs got here out in opposition to a very good (however drained) Sacramento Kings workforce that options loads of scorers and three former Spurs in DeMar DeRozan, Doug McDermott and Trey Lyles. It appeared like it could be a troublesome match-up, so the Spurs would wish to care for the ball and assault the glass to maintain the very best rebounder within the league, Domantas Sabonis, off the offensive glass. They (nearly) achieved each, particularly in a dominant second half.
The Spurs have been scorching from three early, hitting 4 of their first seven (together with two from Victor Wembanyama) to rise up 18-15 after six minutes, however as is commonly the case, the offense went chilly when the bench got here in, and the Kings went on an 11-4 run to take a 26-22 lead after 12 minutes whereas the Spurs struggled with the primary purpose of taking good care of the ball. That run prolonged because the Kings acquired the result in 9 with a 3 and transition dunk off a Spurs turnover to begin the second quarter, prompting an offended Mitch Johnson timeout.
Then, as if Gregg Popovich was again with them, Johnson’s Popovichian transfer sparked a fireplace below his workforce. The Spurs responded with a 7-0 run and by no means regarded again from there. Though they traded the lead a number of extra instances, the Spurs have been in a position to overcome 12 turnovers within the half (gifting the Kings 18 further factors) by hitting 11-23 from three, together with 4-6 from Wemby, to take a 60-55 lead into the break off a Chris Paul buzzer-beater.
After that, the SEGABABA appeared to be catching up with the Kings, and the Spurs took benefit to shortly get lead out to 14. Though the Kings had one final push in them to get the lead all the way down to single figures, Vassell responded with 7-0 run on his personal after a quiet first half. With solely three turnovers within the quarter, the Spurs have been in a position to preserve a cushty lead, sitting at 84-71 heading into the ultimate body.
The fourth quarter was extra of the identical, with the Spurs slowly and methodically carrying down the drained Kings. Hardly anybody exterior of DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox have been elements, and so they by no means acquired again inside single digits all through all the fourth quarter. Everybody who performed significant minutes for the Spurs contributed in what changed into a 116-96 blowout win, and it was a pleasant bounce again efficiency after their disappointing exhibiting on Saturday.
Recreation Notes
Perhaps all of the threes Wemby is taking pictures are beginning to pay dividends? Past his 34 factors, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and three blocks, he matched his profession excessive of 6 made threes from two nights in the past, going 6-12 from past the arc (a number of of which benefited from the shooter’s roll, which suggests he simply has it going proper now). That’s 12-21 within the final two video games, which continues to be a whole lot of makes an attempt, but it surely’s a a lot simpler tablet to swallow when he’s making them. Clearly, he received’t hold hitting them at this charge, and I might nonetheless wish to see him work to determine an inside presence extra, but it surely’s definitely a optimistic if he has lastly discovered a rhythm from exterior, and this isn’t only a two-game fluke.
Stephon Fortress continues to enhance with every passing sport. Whereas his 10 factors on 4-11 taking pictures was okay-not-great (albeit whereas hitting 2-5 from three), he continued to stuff the stat sheet with 4 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal and block. And his contributions lengthen properly past the stat sheet. He is aware of the place to be on protection and makes the suitable reads. You could possibly even see him directing his teammates on each ends of the courtroom, which exhibits a whole lot of maturity and confidence for a participant in simply his eleventh NBA sport.
Talking of who might be mentoring Fortress, aggressive Chris Paul made a return, and per normal, it lit a fireplace below the workforce. He picked his spots with 12 factors on 5-8 taking pictures, but it surely makes such an enormous distinction when he’s searching for his personal shot whereas nonetheless doling out 11 assists. The Spurs don’t want him to be an enormous scoring menace, simply sufficient that the protection has to respect him as a substitute of shedding within the passing lanes. Immediately’s efficiency was an ideal steadiness.
Play of the Recreation
There are a whole lot of contenders, however this was my favourite play of the evening and confirmed the Spurs weren’t going to blow this one. From Wemby’s block to Paul’s lovely turnaround cross again to Wemby, and over the top to Sandro Mamukelashvili (who additionally had a pleasant sport off the bench), this was some Lovely Spurs stage of play.
