Duel of choice for Victor Wembanyamawhich simply defied Nikola Jokic, considered by many to be the best basketball player on the planet today. A crucial meeting for Denverwhich comes out of a road trip disappointing (four defeats in five matches), but also for San Antoniowho has not won in eleven matches.
On the field, and even without Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon, logic was respected since the Nuggets quietly dominated the Spurs (132-120), who conceded their twelfth consecutive defeat, while the reigning champions remain undefeated in eight home games.
Things accelerated from the second quarter, when Denver increased its lead to around twenty points, in the wake of Nikola Jokic of course. It was then necessary for the same Nikola Jokic to show his strength in the third quarter, in order to have a very peaceful final act. As well as victory, therefore.
TO REMEMBER
– San Antonio held a quarter. In the little game of “the team that will attack best”, the Spurs obviously had very little chance of keeping up with the Nuggets, but they still tried. Result, after a balanced first twelve minutes, they took a first shine in the second quarter, conceding a 26-8 to find themselves at -20. Coming back to around ten points, they then took a second shine in the third quarter, conceding a 25-8 to find themselves at -25. Packed, it’s weighed!
– Victor Wembanyama was not unworthy. Opposed to what is best in the NBA on the inside, “Wemby” played, and played well even in sequences, darkening the stats sheet as rarely and allowing himself some classy actions (including an “alley-oop” over Reggie Jackson!). The problem is that the Frenchman was unable to receive support worthy of the name unlike Nikola Jokic and, over time, this difference sealed the fate of Spurs. A learning the hard way, and always in defeat, for the first choice of the last Draft.
TOP/FLOP
✅ Nikola Jokic. Who else but the reigning Finals MVP? Solidly supported by Michael Porter Jr. (25 points, 7 rebounds), Reggie Jackson (20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (16 points, 6 assists), the Serbian flirted with the triple-double without never give the impression of forcing, as usual. Author of his best mark of the season in scoring, he easily taught a lesson to the Spurs interior sector, too weak to resist him. A real steamroller if he decides to press the “on” button.
⛔️ Jeremy Sochan. It’s always very tricky in the lead for the Pole, only author of 4 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in 17 short minutes, with also 3 ball losses. A tasteless performance, one more, and this on each side, while the entries into play of Tre Jones continue to work against him in the debate: “who should be the starting leader of the Spurs? “.
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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.
