There was quite a lot of hype for the San Antonio Spurs’ matchup with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on the NBA’s “rivalry week.” Regardless of the 2 groups having rookie do-it-all large males, they couldn’t be any additional aside, as was obvious on the courtroom. Oklahoma Metropolis blew out the Spurs 140-114 in San Antonio’s first recreation of its residence stand.
Regardless of one of the best efforts of Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs couldn’t comprise nor sustain with the Thunder. Wembanyama, motivated by a matchup with fellow Rookie of the Yr candidate, Chet Holmgren, went off for twenty-four factors, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. He went proper on the opposing large man, dunking on him and staring him down on a few events.
The Thunder had been led by their MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA was unguardable all night time, scoring 32 factors and including 10 assists. Oklahoma Metropolis was unconscious all recreation lengthy, pulling down three after three. They hit 18 of their 40 makes an attempt, pulling down 45% of their threes. They shot 56.3% from the sphere general.
The Spurs then again had been ice chilly from three, hitting simply 9 of their 32 makes an attempt ( 28.1%) They turned the ball over 19 occasions, taking part in sloppy offensive basketball, notably within the second half. Defensively that they had a number of lapses off the ball, permitting open jumpers and driving lanes for OKC’s position gamers.
The bench unit was notably dangerous on Wednesday. When Victor Wembanyama left the sport within the third quarter with the Spurs down 83-70, a second unit group consisting of Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, Zach Collins and Cedi Osman gave up a 17-6 run to place OKC up large going into the fourth quarter. The Spurs had been outscored 43-26 via the top of the sport. Johnson and Branham had been -32 and -28 in field rating +/- respectively. Miscommunications and flimsy level of assault protection doomed a second unit that couldn’t cease anybody, and couldn’t rating.
Within the fourth quarter we received a little bit of one-on-one motion with Wembanyama and Holmgren. After Victor slammed the ball on Chet, he stared the large man down. That awoke Holmgren who performed far more aggressive after getting provoked by Wemby.
Holmgren completed the sport with 17 factors, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks. After the sport Wembanyama instructed reporters he was not specializing in particular person matchups, however watching the tape, it seems like he had some additional juice for Holmgren.
The Spurs can have an opportunity to bounce again towards the Portland Path Blazers on Friday the twenty sixth. The Spurs break up a double-header with the Blazers earlier within the month.
Recreation notes
Blake Wesley received the beginning with Tre Jones sidelines with an ankle damage. The second-year level guard had a stable recreation, taking part in sturdy protection on the level of assault, and making good choices on the offensive finish. Wesley completed with 12 factors, 6 assists and 4 turnovers on 5-5 taking pictures from the sphere. He nonetheless has a methods to go in slowing himself down, and decreasing turnovers, however he’s improved in nearly each side of his recreation. Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, known as his protection infectious, and one thing that the workforce wants proper now.
Devin Vassell regarded good attending to the basket towards OKC. He had 21 factors with solely three of these coming from deep. He was good making choices off the catch, both attending to a pull up, or attacking the rim onerous. He had 7 assists, exhibiting a number of the playmaking chops that shined via in his 9 help efficiency on Monday night time towards Philadelphia.
The Spurs misplaced the sport by 26 factors, they had been outscored from the three level line by 27 factors. They’re permitting opponents to shoot the third highest share within the NBA. the perimeter and off-ball protection wants work.
