Already the third match of Victor Wembanyama in the NBA and, that night, the Spurs rookie challenged another French player for the first time, Nicolas Batum. An interesting match within a match to follow, between the captain of the Blues and the future boss of the French selection…
On the floor, this clash between the Clippers and the Spurs is first marked by the omnipresence of Paul George on defense: 5 interceptions in the first quarter!
It allows the Californian franchise to take control of this part, but not largely, because the teammates of Kawhi Leonard waste just as many chances with the ball in hand as the Texan franchise goes by (23-17). As for Victor Wembanyama, he is very discreet on each side of the field.
Like almost his entire team, “Wemby” was not more successful in the second quarter. The fault, in particular, is Nicolas Batum’s good defense against him. Given that Los Angeles reduces the sail to the level of its lost balloons, in addition to finding the external address in the image of Russell Westbrookthe gap increases without surprise and San Antonio must rely mainly on Devin Vassell And Cedi Osman to hold on, and again (56-37).
We might as well say it right away: the second half will not be of much interest, while Ivica Zubac controls the paint and puts the Clippers even more sheltered at the start of the period.
Victor Wembanyama may try to take the game into his own hands, but he can do nothing in the face of the collective strike force of Tyronn Lue’s men. Even though the meeting was not the most entertaining, it becomes profoundly boring and we quickly understand that an enormous “garbage time” awaits us until the end (123-83).
TO REMEMBER
– A first spanking for Victor Wembanyama. Faced with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and others, we can say that “Wemby” (11 points at 4/10, 5 lost balls) was not spared, because the Clippers simply inflicted the first correction on him of his young NBA career. Collectively, the Spurs are very and too fair to compare with such a complete team, especially when their young French star fails to develop his game in attack, in the same way as Keldon Johnson or Jeremy Sochan.
TOP/FLOP
✅ The Westbrook – George – Leonard – Zubac quartet. Here are the four players who guided the Clippers to this great, easy and authoritarian success. Seriously, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac took turns punishing the Spurs’ overly permissive and naive defense, in addition to making wonderful use of the latter’s lost balls.
⛔ San Antonio. Nothing positive on the Spurs side, as they were so out of place throughout this evening. Both to defend and to shoot or to take care of the ball. From his bench, Gregg Popovich looked like he was having very bad days and we can only understand it, given the performance delivered by his men…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
