With three days of relaxation behind them, the San Antonio Spurs had loads of fuel within the tank to play free basketball. They dug deep for an additional clutch win on the Frost Financial institution Heart. They survived each counterpunch from the Atlanta Hawks in a 133-126 time beyond regulation win to enhance to 14-13 on the season.
Trae Younger and DeAndre Hunter gave the Spurs nearly all they may deal with with clutch scoring on the finish of regulation. Hunter had the game-tying dunk over Victor Wembanyama, in the end resulting in a double-technical for each gamers after some jawing. Nevertheless it was the clutch play of Wembanyama and Chris Paul that earned the Spurs a victory.
Wembanyama continued his dominance of the Japanese Convention with 42 factors (together with 7 threes), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. CP3 hit dagger threes in time beyond regulation, ending the sport with 12 factors, 8 assists, and 4 steals on an ideal 4-4 taking pictures from the sector.
San Antonio is now 7-3 in clutch video games this season. Certainly one of their earlier clutch wins got here towards the Portland Trailblazers, who will come to city for the Spurs’ subsequent recreation, on Saturday evening.
Observations
Jeremy Sochan’s power gave the Spurs an edge all recreation lengthy. He completed with 20 factors, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and a pair of blocks. His play on the defensive facet of the ball was spectacular. His enchancment on the offensive finish is clear as he’s exhibiting extra contact within the paint, and hit a big-time three within the second half. He performed a team-high 42 minutes as Mitch Johnson used him because the workforce’s backup middle within the second half. The third-year man has established himself as a key a part of the Spurs core.
Devin Vassell re-entered the beginning lineup and made probably the most of it with 23 factors on 9-16 taking pictures from the sector. Vassell’s three-point jumper was pure all evening as he shot 5-7 from deep. San Antonio’s new beginning lineup of Paul, Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Sochan, and Wembanyama performed properly collectively on each ends. Count on extra of that if the Spurs can keep their well being.
Keldon Johnson was rock strong off the Spurs bench and closed the sport with Paul, Vassell, Sochan, and Wembanyama. He made some clutch defensive performs and match properly into the offense. He crashed the glass within the clutch and operated as one other hustle participant alongside Sochan. Johnson completed with 11 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a pair of steals.
