The black series of Spurs continues since the teammates of Victor Wembanyama were beaten for the tenth time in a row last night, again by the Clipperson the floor of the Frost Bank Center (109-102).
Very poorly embarked after a catastrophic first quarter (26-14), the players of San Antonio however, reacted well afterwards, winning the second quarter with a score of 34-28 to breathe down the necks of those of Los Angeles when entering the locker room for the break (54-48).
But the offensive problems of the first act did not take long to resurface in the second period, the Texan club showing itself to be in deep difficulty in the opposing half (8/26 in the third quarter, in particular), with the exception the few passages of “Wemby” (22 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks), Jeremy Sochan (19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists) and Devin Vassell coming off the bench (18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists).
Opposite, the Clippers quite frankly did not shine, like this particularly poorly managed end of the match (from +16 to +5 in the space of five minutes), but the offensive qualities of the trio James Harden (16 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists), Paul George (24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) and Kawhi Leonard (26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals) were enough to make the difference in this poor quality match.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– When “Pop” berates Spurs fans! It was a somewhat surreal scene that we witnessed, in the middle of the second quarter: while Kawhi Leonard was shooting his free throws to copious boos from the Frost Bank Center, Gregg Popovich got up to speak on the microphone, and ask for silence! A message which did not get through at all, since the Spurs fans did the opposite: they booed their former star even louder, at the time of the second free throw. The resentment of the Texan club’s supporters towards the Clippers player remains intact, more than five years after his departure…
– The Clippers’ “Big Three” finds its feet. The product offered on the field still remains unattractive, but the Clippers, since the (voluntary) passage of Russell Westbrook on the bench, are doing better. This victory against San Antonio, the third in a row, has in fact confirmed that the trio James Harden – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard works better when the “Brodie” takes charge of the responsibilities of creating the “second unit”, leaving the care up to the “Big Three” to take care of it in the major five. The positive point to remember is in fact above all the integration of James Harden, who acts as the only playmaker with the starters, and thus gains in efficiency: 16 points on 7 shots and 9 passes (but 4 turnovers, too) . Work in progress…
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.
