In a real show of resilience, the San Antonio Spurs overcame a blizzard and several other journey delays to intestine out a 112-103 victory in opposition to the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Magic responded after the Spurs obtained off to a sizzling begin, outscoring Orlando 37-21 within the first quarter. A dominant third quarter gave San Antonio the increase they wanted to complete off the Magic at house.
Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama led the third-quarter run. Harper constructed off his stellar efficiency in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday with one other nice outing on Sunday. He obtained to the rim, confirmed contact within the paint, and made spotlight defensive performs.
Harper’s end capability isn’t regular for a rookie. He seemed stopped useless in his tracks on this play, however he simply makes use of his next-level physique management and contact to scoop the ball in across the protection.
Photographs like this provide a glimpse into what Harper might be in a number of years. Hitting these sorts of turnarounds within the mid-range present that the rookie has the contact; he’s nonetheless growing at vary and on the tempo of the NBA sport. If he can try this, he’ll unlock one other stage for San Antonio’s offense.
This block was a tantalizing have a look at what Harper may develop into defensively. He’s so lengthy and athletic, and has good instincts on the defensive finish. Pair that together with his capability to get into the paint and his enhancing taking pictures contact, and the Spurs may have one other All-Star on their arms. Harper had 15 factors, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists within the win.
Don’t overlook Harper’s court docket imaginative and prescient. Right here, he finds the slicing Carter Bryant for a monster jam. Bryant has began to get his toes beneath him a bit extra for the Spurs because the season goes on. He appears way more snug and isn’t forcing issues as a lot as he used to. Dunks like these are what make his upcoming look within the NBA Dunk Contest so thrilling.
Wembanyama as soon as once more fought via bodily protection to will the Spurs to victory. Irrespective of what number of limbs and our bodies the Magic threw at him, Wemby responded by stepping into the paint, ending, or getting fouled. His defensive impression was felt, particularly within the third quarter, the place Orlando scored simply 18 factors. Wembanyama had 25 factors, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 5 blocks within the win.
Wembanyama has seemed stronger and a bit extra resilient to contact within the final week. The Orlando and Houston video games had been bodily bouts that examined Wemby’s will, and he stepped as much as the event in each matchups. Performs like this present what a stronger, extra bodily Wembanyama can do. He absorbs the contact and nonetheless has the power to battle via it and end excessive together with his size—scary stuff from the Spurs All-Star.
San Antonio will get a number of days off earlier than one other matchup with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on February 4th. Try the video under to see full highlights from the Spurs’ win over the Magic.
