With the 2024-25 season coming to an in depth, the Spurs had probability to finish issues on a excessive word in entrance of their house followers in opposition to a Toronto workforce that was much more shorthanded than them. At first, it seemed prefer it wasn’t going to occur, with the Raptors capturing crimson scorching within the first half whereas the Spurs have been sloppy and indecisive. After being challenged at halftime by Mitch Johnson, they got here out robust within the second half, coming all the best way again from 22 factors down for an exciting win as they head into certainly one of their extra promising offseasons in current reminiscence.
The beginning of the sport was a bit of sloppy with each groups trying nonchalant, however the Spurs nonetheless led 15-14 after two straight Harrison Barnes threes led to indignant timeout from Darko Rajaković. His workforce responded, and Coach Johnson quickly referred to as one other timeout after Jamison Battle hit his third three for the Raptors to tie issues up at 17 apiece. Battle remained scorching, hitting 6-7 threes within the quarter. Malaki Branham and Keldon Johson introduced some vitality off the bench, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient because the Toronoto led 37-32 after 12 minutes.
Issues have been no higher within the second quarter, because the Raptors began on an 11-2 run to push the lead out to double figures whereas the Spurs continued to battle defending the ball and getting again on protection. They appeared to search out a bit of life with a 3 from Stephon Fortress and excessive flying dunk from Sandro Mamukelashvili, however once more the Raptors responded nicely to a timeout, out-hustling the Spurs and making the most of their sloppy play. They continued to step by step stretch the lead all through the quarter, peaking at 20 factors, 74-54 at halftime. They out-performed the Spurs in nearly each class within the half, with 10 extra subject targets, 5 extra threes, 13 extra assists, and seven extra factors off turnovers.
The Spurs’ defensive effort picked up within the second half, they usually slowly started to chip away at what briefly turned a 22-point lead due to Julian Champagnie hitting a few threes and Chris Paul changing into the assertive model of himself with 10 fast factors. With the Spurs lastly asserting their will, they moved the ball on offense as an alternative of settling for isos and got here all the best way again on consecutive Johnson layups, the second of which got here from Blake Wesley stealing the inbound go on his first and handing it again to Johnson for the second. A.J. Lawson hit a few free throws to briefly give the lead again to Toronto on the finish of third quarter, 93-95, nevertheless it was nonetheless a wonderful response from the Spurs after such a horrid first half.
The Spurs lastly took the lead for the primary time because the first quarter with Mamu discovering Wesley underneath the basket two minutes into the fourth. For the primary time almost all sport, each groups have been absolutely engaged, however the Spurs had the sting. Johnson gave the Spurs their largest lead of 6 off a 3 and free throw with just below 6 minutes left, however the Raptors stored preventing again, getting as shut as two a few instances. Nonetheless, the Spurs by no means relinquished the lead, even in a chippy ultimate minute because the Raptors had one last-ditch effort in them, they usually ended the season on a excessive word with a convincing 125-118 win.
Sport Notes
Champagnie, Paul and Barnes turned the primary Spurs trio to play in all 82 video games since Tim Duncan, Antonio Daniels and Malik Rose did it in 2001-02. The final time any workforce within the NBA achieved that feat was in 2017-18 by the Minnesota Timberwolves when Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Cities and Taj Gibson performed in all 82 video games. Paul can be the primary participant in NBA historical past to play in all 82 video games in his twentieth season or later.
Champagnie additionally hit his personal milestone, changing into the one undrafted participant in NBA historical past with 800+ factors, 300+ rebounds, and capturing over 90% from the road. He was one of many few Spurs that had it going within the first half, and he completed with 14 factors and 6 rebounds, together with hitting 4-6 from three.
The Spurs acquired lots of manufacturing from their depleted bench unit, with Keldon Johnson main the best way with 23 factors on 10-14 capturing and his normally vitality and enthusiasm. Mamu was energetic all sport with 12 factors on 6-8 capturing, together with a number of excessive flying drives, and Branham reminded everybody what he brings to the desk when he’s centered with 11 factors and nil misses.
Most preseason predictions had them profitable not more than 35 video games, so with that in thoughts, in the event you have been advised that Victor Wembanyama would solely seem in 46 video games, you most likely wouldn’t have guessed they might nonetheless attain 34 wins. Numerous that could be a testomony to inside enchancment and progress, in addition to the influence of bringing in veteran presences like Barnes in Paul. (The CP3 Impact lives on!) IT’s additionally value noting that the Spurs would love be within the play-in at worst if Wemby had stayed wholesome, so this season shouldn’t be thought-about a failure in any capability. As a substitute, the longer term is trying brighter than it has in a number of years, and it’s going to be an extended six-month watch for the following season.
Play of the Sport
Nothing like ending issues with some traditional KJ hustle and celebration on the bucket that every one however sealed the win. (I’ll personally be extraordinarily upset if that is his final sport with the Spurs. I don’t consider he’ll be traded, and he proved himself has an incredible sixth man this season, however you by no means know.)
I wish to as soon as once more thank the Pounding the Rock neighborhood on your continued assist. I’ve been doing this for 9 seasons now, and it’s you guys who maintain me going, even throughout this seven-year playoff drought (that hopefully ends right here!).
Be sure you stick round all low season for participant critiques, draft and free company protection, summer season league, and some other enjoyable initiatives we will assume up. Thanks once more, and Go Spurs go!
