As enjoyable because the Spurs’ little 3-1 stretch was in what now looks as if an eternity in the past, that includes two double-digit, come-from-behind wins towards the Rockets and Suns and one other win whereas staving off a large double-digit rally by Phoenix, all of us knew deep down it was not a sustainable technique to maintain profitable. The legislation of averages has confirmed this appropriate, as since then the Spurs have misplaced three straight video games, together with blowing a 20-point lead towards the Raptors and two wire-to-wire blowout losses, first to the Pacers after which tonight towards the Knicks with no comeback magic at their disposal.
The Knicks scored the primary 13 factors of the sport earlier than Zach Collins lastly discovered Malaki Branham on a backdoor move to interrupt the ice. The Knicks additionally continued the development of groups hitting lights out from three towards the Spurs, going 5-7 within the first quarter in comparison with 0-5 for the Silver and Black. Whereas for probably the most half the Spurs offense was getting respectable seems to be, photographs simply weren’t falling, and so they nonetheless regarded torpid and weren’t transferring the ball as a lot. There have been additionally a number of miscues on protection, and so they discovered themselves down 33-16 after simply 12 minutes of motion.
After a sluggish begin to the second quarter for each groups, the Spurs lastly began to search out some offensive life behind the bench play of Doug McDermott and Tre Jones off the bench, operating the ball and getting out in transition. The lead received stretched out to 21 a few occasions, however the Spurs responded with some mini runs every time to maintain it a ball sport. Jeremy Sochan additionally discovered some offensive rhythm within the second quarter, scoring 8 of his 16 factors, together with their closing 5 to trim the lead right down to 14, 65-51, at halftime.
Sadly, any classes realized from their mini-comeback and halftime talks concerning the defensive miscues didn’t resonate within the second half. The Knicks as soon as once more got here out firing whereas the Spurs couldn’t hit the broad aspect of a barn, taking pictures simply 1-9 from three within the third quarter. The lead received as excessive as 30, however as they’re wont to do, the Spurs at the least tried to make issues attention-grabbing within the fourth quarter.
They hit their first 8 photographs to chop the lead right down to 14 with seven minutes left and had two probabilities to chop it to 12, however in each instances they blew the subsequent possession (Keldon Johnson missed two free throws, then McDermott dedicated a cost) earlier than the Knicks responded with a 3 every time. Gregg Popovich emptied the bench as soon as the deficit was again to 21 with just below three minutes left, and that was the top of one other disappointing outing from the Spurs as they misplaced 126-105. If there’s something optimistic that might be mentioned, it’s that they saved preventing and by no means utterly folded on this one.
Recreation Notes
Devin Vassell’s standing was modified to obtainable about half-hour earlier than tipoff after recovering from a groin harm, however he got here off the bench and solely performed 12 minutes within the first half. He unsurprisingly regarded out of rhythm, hitting 2-6 photographs for simply 4 factors, together with a few badly missed threes. We’ll see if he’s again with the beginning lineup on Friday, however hopefully he’s and/or is prepared for extra minutes, as a result of the Spurs desperately want his offense to get them going once more.
Whereas the Spurs didn’t have a horrible taking pictures night time from contained in the arc (the place they shot 35-56, 62.5%) and even had 31 assists, it was all the opposite scoring stats that received this one for the Knicks. They hit 10 extra threes (which alone is greater than the ballgame), seven extra free throws, and had 13 extra factors off turnovers. A few of that’s poor protection on the Spurs half (extra on that beneath), and a few is simply rotten luck, however regardless it’s almost inconceivable to win video games beneath such eventualities.
Earlier than the fourth quarter tonight, when the Knicks “solely” scored 27 factors, you’d need to go all the way in which again to the second quarter towards Toronto to search out one wherein the opponent scored fewer than 30 factors on the Spurs. That’s NINE straight quarters of horrific protection (ten if you wish to rely extra time) and clearly the largest factor the Spurs must work on going ahead. The offense will ebb and stream for the youngest group within the NBA, but when one factor could be constant, it’s defensive effort and execution, and the Spurs have a protracted technique to go in that division.
In contrast to some prior greats, Victor Wembanyama didn’t have a memorable Madison Sq. Backyard debut. Outdoors of an 8-point spurt within the fourth quarter, he had a tough outing, hitting simply 4-14 from the sphere for 14 factors, 9 rebounds and three turnovers. He once more regarded a step sluggish and low on power a lot of the night time, and when he isn’t enjoying nicely, the Spurs are nonetheless the identical group as final season (not stunning because it’s in any other case the identical roster). The burden shouldn’t be on a 19-year-old to hold this group each night time, and hopefully Vassell’s eventual full return will assist ease among the strain on Wemby.
Up subsequent: Friday vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Spurs return dwelling for his or her first In-season Match sport towards the rising Timberwolves. Will “dwelling candy dwelling” lastly get them going once more, or will or not it’s one other battle? Tune it to Bally Sports activities at 7:00 PM CT to search out out. (And hopefully the Spurs’ match court docket is as comparatively “pastel” because it’s been made out to be, as a result of among the others have been terrible because of their brightness.)
