Earlier than the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Cup match with the Los Angeles Lakers, Keldon Johnson informed reporters that he had some additional motivation to win the event’s money prize – a llama. The Spurs’ ahead stated that with the winnings, he’d buy a llama for his farm. The remainder of the crew should actually need him to get that llama, as a result of they gave a dominant efficiency in a 132-119 win to advance to the semifinals.
San Antonio’s recreation plan was apparent from tip-off: play quick, get to the basket, area the ground with shooters, and make Luka Doncic beat them within the decide and roll. All of it labored for them, because the Lakers couldn’t sustain on both finish. The Spurs scored 16 factors off turnovers and had 27 fast-break factors. They shot 50% from the sector and 45% from three.
The Spurs have been pink sizzling to start out the sport, particularly Johnson, who hit three triples within the first quarter on his technique to 13 of his 17 factors within the opening body. Johnson led San Antonio’s bench unit that saved the extent of play excessive when the starters rested. The Spurs’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 48-31. Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie performed an enormous position, scoring 16 and 13 factors, respectively.
Every time the Lakers did make a run, it got here on the again of Luka Doncic. The Lakers’ star had 35 factors and eight assists within the loss. A number of these assists have been to Marcus Sensible, who had 26 factors off the bench, together with 8 three-pointers. The Spurs have been leaving him extensive open, and he made them pay. It didn’t occur too typically, however when Los Angeles acquired out in transition, it was led by LeBron James, who had 19 factors, 15 rebounds, and eight assists.
Late within the fourth quarter, the Lakers rode a run to chop the Spurs’ 20-point lead right down to single digits. San Antonio as soon as once more known as upon their backcourt to seal the sport. Stephon Fortress and De’Aaron Fox made clutch performs to increase their lead late within the recreation. Fortress led the Spurs in scoring with 30 factors on an environment friendly 10-14 capturing, including in 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Fox was a chilled presence all recreation with 20 factors and simply 1 turnover.
It was a formidable win for the younger Spurs. They executed Mitch Johnson’s recreation plan to a T, and responded each time the Lakers by way of a counter punch. They did all of it with out their celebrity Victor Wembanyama, who regarded locked in on the bench.
Now, San Antonio will head to Las Vegas on Saturday to face the 24-1 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder with an opportunity to go to the NBA Cup finals. It stays to be seen if Wembanyama will swimsuit up, however even when he doesn’t, this Spurs squad has the expertise and motivation to tackle the defending NBA champs. The destiny of KJ’s future llama lies within the stability.
