Typically all it takes is one awful stretch to undo an evening of grit and good intentions. For the Spurs, it was a sloppy, uninspired, no-good second interval that made all of the distinction of their 134-128 loss in Portland on Friday.
Discovering various views comes pure in a shedding season, nevertheless it doesn’t take a lot squinting to understand what San Antonio placed on for anybody who determined to remain up late for Victor Wembanyama-free basketball. They pushed the tempo properly, together with off made baskets. Tre Jones overcame a rolled ankle to place up 14-8-6. Zach Collins couldn’t overcome his however put in loads of work in his 18 minutes (17 factors on 8 of 10 taking pictures) because the offensive hub. Doug McDermott (6 of 8 from three) grew to become the Human Torch to maintain the Spurs in it. Keldon Johnson, seemingly all the time there when the Spurs want a counterpunch, had 29-7-7 off the bench.
However the Spurs are what they’re this season due to what occurs when that gust blows the sheet music away and the band forgets how one can play. Within the Blazers’ 42-point second quarter, recast Spurs level guards misplaced the ball a number of occasions within the backcourt. They added three turnovers off inbounds within the first half alone, together with a minimum of one popping out of a timeout. They gave up too many wide-open appears to be like from three (and, to Portland’s credit score, have been punished for it).
From the top of the primary quarter when the sport was tied to the 7-minute mark of the third, the Spurs have been outscored 61 to 35. Credit score to them for battling and chopping the deficit to six within the last interval, chipping away with mini runs and cleansing up the turnovers within the 2nd half.
The larger image is, after all, what was principally out of body on Friday. 24 hours earlier on the identical flooring, Wemby reheated all of the justification for long-term optimism, and losses like it will proceed to be softened when contemplating the ligaments in Wemby’s proper ankle and the way far they need to be capable of take the Spurs in time. Perspective and whatnot.
Recreation Notes:
The newest on Wemby’s absence right here and beneath:
Pop says it’s “mandated” that Victor Wembanyama be on a minutes restriction and never play in back-to-backs for “a pair weeks.”
At that time, Wemby will get one other MRI on his ankle and the medical workers will decide if there must be adjustments to the protocol.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) December 30, 2023
Dominick Barlow offered some promising moments defensively, shifting properly on the perimeter and contesting with out fouling on the rim. He’s nonetheless seeking to put it collectively on the opposite finish.
The sons of Harvey Grant (Jerami) and Samaki Walker (Jabari) accounted for 52 of Portland’s factors. Jabari’s 25 was a brand new profession excessive and only one level lower than father Samaki’s profession excessive.
The way in which third total choose Scoot Henderson can get to the rim and eat up house whereas on the dribble, it’s fairly thrilling to see he additionally has playmaking like this in his bag. He additionally hit 3 of 5 threes on the night time and appeared very very like the league’s different different promising rookie.
The Spurs and Blazers have been even after one quarter at 29 a chunk, serving to SA retain its constructive differential within the first interval this season. Extra importantly, the Spurs really took the third quarter, 38 to 33, by my depend the 2nd time that has occurred this season.
Play of the Recreation:
Aggressive assaults like this from Devin Vassell (22 factors) stay extra of an exception than we wish, nevertheless it was distinctive nonetheless.
Subsequent Recreation: Sunday vs the Celtics
Anticipate a heat welcome for Derrick White, who’s thriving as a pivotal piece for the contending Celtics.
