It was a story of two halves but once more for the San Antonio Spurs of their 111-106 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Spurs have been crimson sizzling within the first half, scoring 70 factors, however misplaced steam shortly within the second half as they completed the sport taking pictures 39% from the sector and 28% from three. Their first-half offense was among the many finest stretches they’ve performed this season.
It began with Julian Champagnie going nuclear from three. He completed the sport with 27 factors on 8-16 taking pictures from deep. He was hitting every part within the first half, whether or not he shot the ball off motion or with a decent closeout. Champagnie’s heaters are thrilling and make the Spurs’ offense practically inconceivable to cease.
Sadly, he slowed down within the second half. He solely hit two of his 8 three pointers within the second half. The Rockets began to smother him on the perimeter, making it tough for Champagnie to get a three-pointer off. It was one of many important causes Houston was in a position to make their comeback late within the third and into the fourth quarters.
It wasn’t simply Champagnie who was hitting photographs. Harrison Barnes was 2-5 from deep. San Antonio had 4 gamers hit a number of threes on Tuesday evening.
A type of gamers who hit a number of threes was Stephon Citadel, who had 13 factors, 7 rebounds, and eight assists within the loss. It wasn’t a really environment friendly evening, as Citadel shot 5-19 from the sector and 2-8 from deep, however he hit some essential photographs to take the highest off of Houston’s protection early.
Citadel’s finest play got here within the third quarter when he did what he does finest: get out in transition and end with authority. This windmill is one thing you’d often see within the dunk contest, not with a defender coming to contest the end. And-1 windmill finishes are uncommon. If anybody has the power and athleticism to drag it off, it’s Citadel.
Victor Wembanyama didn’t get loads of photographs across the basket on Tuesday, however this one was nice. He simply goes proper by Clint Capela and makes use of his size to dunk excessive of him. The Spurs may have used much more of this on Tuesday. Wemby had 14 factors and 10 rebounds on 5-21 taking pictures from the sector within the loss.
With Wemby struggling, Luke Kornet stepped up. He was superior on protection, selecting up 2 blocks, and completed across the rim within the pick-and-roll on his technique to 8 factors on an environment friendly 4-5 taking pictures.
He and Dylan Harper have established strong chemistry off the bench for the Spurs. Right here Harper finds him wide-open off the soar ball for a straightforward reverse slam.
When the Spurs have been struggling within the fourth quarter, it was Harper who bought them again on monitor a bit. When the entire group was settling for threes, Harper took initiative and bought photographs within the paint. Harper had 8 factors and 5 assists off the bench within the loss.
The Spurs could have an opportunity to get again on monitor on Thursday evening as they journey to Salt Lake Metropolis to tackle the Jazz. Watch the video under for full-game highlights from their loss to the Rockets.
