As a staff long-since eradicated from playoff rivalry with 11 video games left within the season, we’re approaching that time within the season the place you’re about prepared for it to finish, particularly if the staff isn’t going to indicate you something new. The post-All Star stretch began properly sufficient for the Spurs, with them displaying enchancment on each ends and getting some thrilling wins in opposition to good groups, however the final couple of weeks have been disappointing, with blowout losses to raised groups and letdowns within the uncommon cases they need to win.
Tonight was the previous, with the Spurs trying like a staff on a back-to-back after a loss on the buzzer to the Grizzlies final night time. The chilly three-point taking pictures continued as they missed their first six, however they stayed shut initially due to Victor Wembanyama’s aggressiveness down low and defensive presence. Nonetheless, the Suns immediately went on an 8-0 run as soon as he subbed out as Kevin Durant bought aggressive across the basket, and it was by no means actually a recreation after that. The Spurs seemed drained, with almost all their photographs arising brief, whereas the Suns moved round them with ease. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than they doubled up the rating at 24-12 earlier than Zach Collins lastly broke the ice from three, and the Spurs ended the quarter down 26-17, having shot simply 6-22 from the sector.
Issues bought no higher to start out the second, because the Suns began on a 7-0 run, and the Spurs’ offense remained a catastrophe, particularly when Wemby wasn’t on the ground. The Suns continued to get no matter they needed on their finish, seemingly making the whole lot whatever the problem degree of the shot, and the Spurs discovered themselves down 65-47 on the half solely due to a Tre Jones floater on the buzzer.
If the Spurs might had any hopes of creating a comeback, it was shortly squashed by one other large Suns run to start out the second half, and it was extra of the identical the remainder of the sport. Devin Booker was on a scorcher all night time and couldn’t be stopped, racking up 32 factors and 9 assists whereas barely even seeming like he was attempting. With the Spurs already down by 32, the fourth quarter was fully trashtime because the starters by no means returned, and the sport ended as a 131-106 blowout loss for the Spurs.
Recreation Notes
After outscoring their opponents from three in every of the earlier 12 video games, the final two have been a catastrophe. After hitting simply 7-38 final night time, they had been barely any higher tonight, hitting simply 9-33. Satirically, it was largely good basketball performs that bought them loads of these seems, and if this had been the 2014 Spurs, we’d most likely be impressed with the ball motion and passes, however it’s additionally a results of what groups are giving the Spurs on offense, and so they simply don’t have the shooters to complete the performs regularly.
For probably the most half, Wemby has been comparatively proof against fan criticism, with most blame for his struggles being handed to his teammates. A few of it’s properly deserved, resembling their baffling incapability to search out him when he’s open at instances, however he nonetheless loads of issues to work on too. He’s method too liable to turnovers, with 12 of them over the past two video games, whether or not it’s lackadaisical passing, not seeing defenders coming, getting stripped down low, or poor ball-handling. A few of that may enhance with age and as he will get used to his personal physique, however his greatest precedence this summer time must be to work on bettering his deal with on the ball. MVP’s don’t common 3.5 turnovers per recreation.
It’s stays uncommon, however every time Sandro Mamukelashvili will get an opportunity, he reveals what he’s all about. This time it was simply 8 minutes of rubbish time, be he performed with extra power than anybody else tonight, hitting 5-7 photographs for 11 factors and three rebounds. There might not be a spot for him on subsequent season’s roster, but when that’s the case, I’ll want we might have seen extra of him in a Spurs uniform. He’s enjoyable, energetic, and at all times prepared.
Play of the Recreation
Everybody has needed to see Wemby vs. Bol Bol, and so they bought a little bit of it within the second quarter with Wemby beating him on a bounce ball earlier than hitting a 3.
Up subsequent: Monday vs. Suns
The Spurs will conclude their miniseries with the Suns (and their eight-game homestand) on Monday. Tip-off will probably be at 7:00 PM CT on Bally Sports activities.
