The Spurs and the Nuggets offered us a rare back-to-back as the two teams met last night in San Antonio, 24 hours after a first round played in… Denver. Like the day before, an advantage for the visitors since the Nuggets won on the Spurs floor, and like the day before, the Wembanyama-Jokic duel was Dantesque, and like the day before, there was suspense!
From the outset, the Spurs try to impose a rapid pace, but there is haste. As proof, these two quick mistakes from Victor Wembanyama, who is celebrating his 21st birthday. Unsurprisingly, Nikola Jokic took advantage of Wemby's absence on the court to attack the paint and score easy baskets. Even if Julian Champagnie brings outside skill, the Nuggets have taken control, and they lead 30-27 after twelve minutes.
At the start of the second quarter, DeAndre Jordan replaced to allow him to breathe, and it was the Spurs' turn to take advantage, to the point of going in front. Like a clumsy Wembanyama, there is waste among the Spurs, with avoidable losses of balls. But two huge dunks from Devin Vassell set the Frost Bank Center on fire, and at the break, the Spurs were in front: 55-54.
Wembanyama silent in overtime
Returning from the locker room, it was time for a 3-point shooting contest signed by the Spurs, with 12 of their first 14 points coming from behind the arc. Harrison Barnes is the most heated, and Mike Malone is forced to take a time-out. The Spurs' aggressiveness makes the difference, and Jokic clearly lacks support. Result, the Spurs take a nice lead, to lead by 11 points before the last quarter (92-81). We think they will widen the gap when Jokic moves to the bench, but the Nuggets are fighting back! To the point of passing in front again, to launch a boiling “money time”.
It's Devin Vassell who equalizes, going for his own missed shot. But the last possession is for Jokic. The day before, Wembanyama had diverted his pass, and this time, the Serb took the shot. He narrowly missed, and overtime: 108-108. What’s next? A Jokic who dominates overtime head and shoulders with 9 of the Nuggets' 14 points. Opposite, “Wemby” is silent: not a rebound, not a point. At the finish, the Nuggets won 122-111 after a one-sided overtime.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
End of series for the Spurs. After two successes in a row, San Antonio did not make it three. But the Wolves' defeat in Detroit allows them to remain 9th in the Western Conference.
Westbrook the poison. On several occasions, Mike Malone let Russell Westbrook defend on Victor Wembanyama, and the All-Star point guard did very well with his aggressiveness and activity.
The Spurs bench shines. In 24 hours, the San Antonio replacements accumulated 80 points, compared to 31 for their Denver counterparts. Interesting for the rest of the season, even if the legs were too heavy in overtime.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
