The San Antonio Spurs hibernating offense awakened on Monday in opposition to the Toronto Raptors. The Silver and Black had been pink sizzling offensively, driving that scoring wave to 122-99 blowout victory over the Raptors. It was the Spurs first win of the rodeo highway journey and snapped a seven-game shedding streak.
They had been led by an epic efficiency from Victor Wembanyama. Toronto had no reply for the rookie on offense nor protection. He posted his second triple-double this season, with 27 factors, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. He’s the primary participant to submit a triple-double with blocks since Clint Capela did so in 2021.
After a number of off video games through which the rookie seemed fatigued, Wembanyama was rejuvenated in Toronto. He was in every single place defensively, blocking pictures that had no enterprise getting touched, like a dunk from Scottie Barnes. Offensively he was effectively aggressive – looking down mismatches and taking open jumpers. he shot 10-14 from the sector and 2-4 from the three-point line.
He wasn’t the one Spur who confirmed up defensively. The entire group was on a string all night time, and performed with extra physicality than they’ve proven currently. Jeremy Sochan was dominant guarding the Raptors All-Star, Barnes.
“I used to be actually pleased with him tonight,” Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich stated. “He took on the problem. Scottie is one hell of a participant and he did job on him all recreation.”
Barnes was held to 7 factors on 3-15 taking pictures from the sector. He completed the sport with 9 rebounds and 9 assists as properly. The Raptors as an entire struggled offensively, taking pictures simply 39.8% from the sector and 25.8% from deep. They couldn’t care for the basketball both. Toronto had 19 turnovers and allowed 32 factors off these giveaways.
San Antonio thrived within the open courtroom, capitalizing on the Raptors errors. Whereas they create chaos defensively, offensively they had been clean. They executed their half courtroom units to get shooters simple appears to be like. They discovered cutters and rollers on simple drive to the basket. With 37 assists, it was really a group effort. That offensive effectivity translated to the stat sheet, because the Spurs shot 52.9% from the sector and 36.7% from deep.
The supporting solid round Wembanyama performed particularly properly. Sochan was a menace across the basket, ending with 16 factors, 6 rebounds and a couple of blocks. Devin Vassell bought going within the half courtroom, getting downhill and pulling down threes. He completed with 25 factors and 6 assists, making 5 of his 7 three-pointers. Tre Jones did just a little little bit of every thing, working because the lead ball-handler and initiator on offense, ending with 7 factors, 7 rebounds and 10 assists.
Grady Dick was the one opposing participant who was capable of finding his rhythm, main the Raptors with 18 factors. He knocked down 4 deep balls in his 22 minutes off the bench.
The Spurs will head again to Texas for a matchup with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Valentines Day. Followers again in San Antonio would like to see them begin a successful streak earlier than the all-star break.
Sport Notes:
Tre Jones notched his 1,000th help on Monday night time. Solely two Spurs chosen within the second spherical have reached that achievement – Jones and Manu Ginobili.
Wembanyama seemingly joins elite firm each time he touches the ground. He’s the fourth rookie to submit a triple-double with blocks, becoming a member of David Robinson (1990,) Ralph Sampson (1983) and Mark Eaton (1983.) He’s the fifth participant in NBA historical past to file a 25+ level, 10+ rebound, 5+ help and 10+ block recreation. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robinson and Sampson.
Blake Wesley continues to be a key contributor off the Spurs bench. He completed Monday’s contest with 10 factors, 2 assists and a steal. His vitality is nice and he’s getting higher making selections with the ball in his fingers. He made some well timed cuts attending to the basket and completed properly inside.
