The Spurs received their third straight in spectacular trend. The Silver and Black dominated the Raptors all through the sport, propelled by impressed protection, en path to a 123-89 blowout. It’s the primary three-game win streak since late November of 2024 for San Antonio.
For the reason that begin of the sport, it was evident that the Spurs weren’t underestimating the shorthanded Raptors. Apart from a few possessions that includes unhealthy transition protection, San Antonio was locked in on that facet of the ball, trying energetic and disruptive. Toronto’s lack of capturing was main them to a crowded paint and to steals that fueled scoring alternatives on the break and early offense earlier than the house group might settle. Because the second unit checked in, the main focus and depth remained, with Blake Wesley and Jeremy Sochan making issues occur. In the meantime, their opponent couldn’t discover their very own sparkplugs. After a near-perfect opening body, the Spurs had been up by 20 factors.
The Raptors made some changes and with Jamal Shead main the way in which, managed to get some buckets near the rim within the half-court. San Antonio began gradual, as Toronto did a greater job of containing Fort, however the ball continued to maneuver, because it has all season, and it discovered its option to open shooters. Julian Champagnie caught hearth, sinking three three-pointers within the body, and others quickly joined. At one level, the Spurs led by 27 and had been dominating each aspect of the sport, however the Raptors didn’t let go of the rope, doing sufficient to maintain tempo by limiting their turnovers and forcing their opponent to work for his or her pictures. The Silver and Black nonetheless received the quarter and prolonged their lead, however solely by two factors.
The protection wasn’t as suffocating to begin the second however, luckily, the Spurs nonetheless discovered methods to get buckets on a sport that lacked fluidity. Fort acquired to the road, which saved the offense going till Devin Vassell determined to take over. By all of it, Scottie Barnes was doing his finest to maintain Toronto in it, however because the minutes handed and recent legs checked in from the bench, the protection regained a few of its depth and there was no complacency or mercy to be seen from the Silver and Black. The group continued to play onerous on protection and execute on offense. The main focus lasted till the final play, a buzzer-beating putback dunk from Champagnie that gave the Spurs a 34-point lead heading into the ultimate body.
It didn’t take lengthy for Mitch Johnson to empty his bench. There was by no means a menace of a comeback from a closely shorthanded Raptors squad that is likely to be extra targeted on lottery odds than wins. Some would say the Spurs needs to be doing the identical, however the gamers clearly don’t agree.
Sport notes
Devin Vassell had an environment friendly scoring night time, dropping 25 factors on 14 makes an attempt. He additionally had six boards and three assists and continued his pattern of being a disruptive defender, logging two steals and a block. March stats needs to be taken with a grain of salt, however past the numbers, Vassell simply appears far more lively on the defensive finish and assured in his shot. It’s been nice to see.
The Spurs common eight steals per sport and 17.5 factors of turnovers for the season. That they had 15 steals and 30 factors off turnovers towards the Raptors, which coughed the ball up 21 instances, tied for fifth most in a sport this season for them. The protection was nice, however San Antonio acquired some assist from their opponent.
Bismack Biyombo returned to the beginning lineup. He had a powerful sport on a restricted position, like the remainder of the veteran starters. It’s good to see the older guys offering stability with out taking away too many touches or minutes from the youthful guys.
Stephon Fort is taking advantage of his alternative to dominate the ball and be the group’s major ball handler and creator. Fort didn’t shoot properly from the sphere however had 10 free throws in underneath 20 minutes. Each opponents and officers respect him extra now, and it reveals by how he’s guarded and the whistle he will get.
Keldon Johnson has been inconsistent currently, logging his second single-digit scoring sport up to now three. The issue continues to be an unreliable three-point shot. Keldon does different issues, however bench scoring is meant to be his area of interest. Hopefully he will get in a groove the remainder of the way in which and solidifies his spot because the group’s sixth man.
Julian Champagnie had considered one of his finest video games of the season, ending with 20 factors in 9 pictures to go along with 5 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. When he’s enjoying properly, he reveals flashes of being extra than simply an eighth or ninth man, however because it’s the issue with loads of Spurs position gamers, consistency stays a problem.
Jeremy Sochan did just a little little bit of every thing however essentially the most encouraging stat is his three tried three-pointers. He solely made one, however he’s now tried a minimum of one in eight of the final 10 video games and a number of in 5 of these performances. Preserve capturing, Jeremy.
Blake Wesley must show himself and he’s doing a very good job of it. The ultimate stat line isn’t that spectacular however he made a constructive impression in his first stint, when the sport was nonetheless on the road, scoring six factors and logging three assists and three steals.
Play of the night time
The outdated man nonetheless has some methods up his sleeve.
Subsequent sport: at Detroit Pistons on Tuesday
The successful streak won’t survive the journey to Detroit, however even a very good exhibiting towards a very good group, even when it is available in a loss, could be nice to see.
