Sometimes it seems like a really hot start is the worst thing that can happen to the Spurs. After the Spurs started the game on an 11-0 run the Spurs let up a bit and let the Kings back into the game. They got complacent, and the Kings fed off of the Spurs lack of energy and lazy turnovers. They came out of the locker room after halftime and gave the Spurs a tough time by playing tough and chippy, and just working harder. The Spurs finally took control of the game with a 12-0 run that spanned the last minute of the third quarter and the first minute of the fourth. The Spurs overcame a game effort from DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Maxime Raynaud with an incredible performance from Victor Wembanyama on both ends of the floor with four blocks and 28 points and nice games from Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and De’Aaron Fox. Keldon Johnson brought energy off the bench, keeping the Spurs in the game when the rest of the team seemed to be trying to coast through without expending too much effort. That turned out to be good enough to beat the sad sack Kings, who seemed to be competitive with the Silver and Black until they weren’t, as the Spurs were able to beat them by playing at top efficiency for about 8 minutes of game time spanning the third and fourth quarter, turning a close game into an Austin blowout. That kind of effort won’t be good enough to beat the Pistons on Monday night, and I’m sure that’s going to be Mitch Johnson’s message to the team after the game.
Observations
- The Knicks vs the Rockets is on national TV at the same time as the Spurs game, and if I wasn’t doing this recap, I might be watching that game live to see how Sochan is doing on his new team and watching the Spurs later. Hopefully Jeremy is going to have a good game and the Rockets lose.
- The Orlando/Phoenix game went to double overtime, and the Suns won the game on a buzzer beater 113-110.
- The Spurs were sharp out of the gate, going on an 11-0 with three quick blocks by Victor and a big energy advantage as they got to every loose ball to start the game.
- Avery Johnson was on the mic for the play-by-play, and it was great to hear his voice. He seems to relate well to Sean Elliott and Jacob Tobey, and it seemed like they were having a lot of fun.
- I can see why Wemby’s nickname is ‘The Alien.’ His skill level is on a different planet than the guys he played against on the Kings. It doesn’t seem fair.
- Maxime Raynaud looks like he’s going to be a nice player for Sacramento. He’s long and has good ball skills for a seven footer.
- Precious Achiuwa has bounced around the league a bit, but he looks good on the court as a role player for the Kings.
- After the torrid start, the Spurs execution and energy waned a bit in the second half of the first quarter, and the Kings used turnovers from the home team to cut the lead to just four at the end of the first quarter, trailing 31-35, with DeRozan scoring the last 4 points for the visitors.
- The Spurs case of the turnovers continued into the second quarter, as they Kings started the second quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 3 point lead at 40-37. The Spurs played a little better after a timeout, but the Kings had woken up, and the defensive intensity bothered the home team, and DeRozan was able to do his foul merchant magic to keep Sacramento close. They Spurs took advantage of a nice bounce of a deflected pass to Keldon to take a late lead, and led 73-65 going into the locker room, despite racking up 10 turnovers.
- Jacob Tobey said at one point that the crowd was having fun in the Frost Bank Center, which is understandable, since the Frost Bank Center logo was on the playing surface, which was transported from San Antonio and installed into the Moody Center for the game.
- The Kings came out of the locker room on a mission, and that mission was to end their 15 game losing streak with a road victory against one of the best teams in the league. Russ Westbrook got a little chippy and earned himself a tech early, and that energy infected his teammates, as they fought hard against the complacent Spurs. The sharpness that the Spurs exhibited at the start of the contest was gone, and this was going to be a test of wills. The Spurs were going to have to fight hard to win this game. The refs were allowing a lot of contact, so the Silver and Black was going to need to match the physicality of the Kings to win the game.
- After a back-and forth third quarter, the Spurs finished on a 7-0 run to lead 105-94. They scored the first 5 of the fourth, and the Kings, who had been resolute all game, seemed to finally break. When the Spurs took a 26 point lead halfway through the final quarter, the white flag was up, and the Spurs put in Olynyk and Bryant, as the Spurs rested Wemby and most of the starters. Stanley Umude got some run, and it was a treat for the Austin crowd as the Spurs won 139-122 to win both games of the Austin series, with Dylan Harper banging the drum for the Silver and Black after the game.
.
The Spurs are headed to Detroit to face the Pistons, who are currently leading the Eastern Conference standings and are in a virtual tie with the Thunder for the best record in the league, with one few loss and two fewer wins. The Spurs have played well against the top team in the west, with a 4-1 record against OKC, and Monday they’ll get a chance to see how well they do against the east’s best.