Victor Wembanyama is back for San Antonio and the Spurs start the game with a bang. The Jazz did not return to their match while the Texan collective is in full swing, around “Wemby”.
The gap is already +16 (24-8) for the visitors after nine minutes and even rises to +18 (38-20) on a Wembanamyesque sequence, with a counter on Lauri Markkanen and a dunk on the rise of the ball. Utah finally responds, with a 12-0 which puts Will Hardy's team back in the match, while Lauri Markkanen attacks Jeremy Sochan.
But the Spurs do not panic and continue to circulate the ball well. The shifts follow one another, helped by a local defense more or less on vacation, and San Antonio regains the gap.
The Jazz believed in the hold-up
Utah, however, remains within reach, the gap flirting with the ten-point mark. But Victor Wembanyama and his teammates will put in one last push at the start of the fourth quarter. With two important baskets from Devin Vassell, the Spurs seem safe, but a 3-pointer from Lauri Markkanen allows Utah to believe in the hold-up. There are in fact only four points difference (115-111), 23 seconds from the end.
Tre Jones, however, does not tremble at the throws and San Antonio can enjoy its 17th victory of the season (118-111).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Devin Vassell, the Catalyst. If Victor Wembanyama sets the tone on defense for San Antonio, Devin Vassell must do the same on offense. What he achieved perfectly this night, with 31 points at 12/20 shooting, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. He certainly lost some balls, but it was overall. And on both teams.
– Spurs Basketball. With 40 assists on 44 successful shots, the Spurs set a season record, behind good ball circulation, to find the gaps and the best shot. This still produces a lot of ball losses, but the result is encouraging for the future. “It’s Spurs basketball” Devin Vassell could explain. “Pop preaches that all the time. We were putting our shots in tonight and everyone was sharing the ball. »
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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.
