Welcomed like rockstars at the Frost Bank Center for their first official home match of the season, Victor Wembanyama's Spurs unlocked their score with a victory against the Rockets (109-106).
After an uneven first outing against the Mavs on Thursday, the Spurs – led by an omnipresent Jeremy Sochan on both sides of the field (17 points and 12 rebounds) – raised their level of intensity from the start of the match. With in particular an 18-0 at the heart of the second quarter. Quickly trailing, the Rockets suffered for a long time from the aggressiveness and harshness of the Spurs. Like a symbol, Alperen Sengun has never been able to find the fault, alternating bad choices and gestures of frustration.
An almost perfect Victor Wembanyama
Calling on his team to ” exceed [ses] demons [de la saison dernière] »the French interior has also raised the level. Fade away, step back, one-on-one: physically overwhelmed in Dallas, “Wemby” delivered a complete performance, finishing with a double-double (29 points at 10/17 and 7 rebounds). A complete match but not perfect…
Because while the Rockets had returned to one possession at the end of the match (104-102), Victor Wembanyama let a ball escape 26 seconds from the end, leaving Dillon Brooks (16 points, including 10 in the last quarter ) and his teammates the opportunity to get back in front. Of no consequence because the good return of Keldon Johnson (and the bad pass of Jalen Green…) will prevent Cam Whitemore from completing the counterattack. “The execution [de notre plan de jeu] made the difference: we weathered the storm together”summarizes the Spurs winger.
Scares at the end of the match for the Spurs
Largely victorious in the last quarter (37-22), the Rockets had started too far, being up to 22 points behind. Led by Jalen Green (29 points) and Fred VanVleet (18 points), Ime Udoka's protégés came back with individual exploits and isolation. “We were physical in the first half but the Rockets were more physical than us after the locker room; They crashed into us”explains Gregg Popovich, indicating that “against such teams, the ball must move and change sides”.
If his loss of the ball in the final seconds could have cost the Spurs the victory, Victor Wembanyama – leader in applause during the presentation of the teams – came out to the clamor of the Texan public. Chants of “MVP, MVP” accompanied most of his feats as is now customary in San Antonio.
“The victory is the most important and we will try to accumulate them this year”insisted on Victor Wembanyama at the microphone of the room. “We appreciate your unconditional support as always. » Before Wemby, exempt from the press conference, finished with a traditional “Go Spurs Go!” “. He then rushed into the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, puffing out his chest, taking care to show the logo of his spurs to his fans.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Chris Paul in charge. In fond memories of Lob City with the Clippers, “CP3” redacted his teammates with 9 assists in 22 minutes. “He helps us a lot”explains Jeremy Sochan. “Even when he’s not on the field, he’s coaching us. With Harrison (Barnes), he talks to us a lot. »
– Alperen Sengun this time without solution. Often dominating against Victor Wembanyama last year, the Turkish pivot was in difficulty this time. The Rockets star, blocked twice by Wemby from the start and left on the bench during the last quarter, failed to impact the match, finishing with only 6 points at 2/8 on shots in 22 minutes. Far from one of his benchmark matches last season against the Spurs (114-101 victory, March 5), with 45 points and 16 rebounds.
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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.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
