What if San Antonio held its first benchmark match of the season? After an exit against the Thunder, Victor Wembanyama's Spurs signed a second success in a row, the third in six games this season, against a solid Minnesota team, recent finalist of the Western Conference.
Arriving at the Alamo City at 4:15 this Saturday morning after their narrow victory against the Nuggets the day before, the Wolves exploded in full flight. Chris Finch's men, in the wake of a good Anthony Edwards (21 points and 5 rebounds), however, were in contact with Spurs for a long time before letting go after returning from the locker room.
A gala Keldon Johnson
Apart from an end to the first half that could be improved between loss of balls and forced winning shots, the French interior of Spurs produced a good copy, largely dominating Rudy Gobert in the paint. “I had a shitty match,” admits the Wolves pivot after the meeting. Stepback with 3-points on the head of his compatriot and two blocks in the 2nd quarter alone, “Wemby” made a disoriented “Gobzilla” suffer (only 10 points at 3/8, 3 rebounds in 23 minutes).
Despite a 3-point skill still at half mast (1/7), the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) totaled 17 points at 7/15 on shots, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in 31 minutes of play. “We are always learning but I am more patient than I have been before in my career”he slips.
A collective victory
Still deprived of Tre Jones and Devin Vassell, the Spurs relied on a very sharp Keldon Johnson (25 points) to take off in the heart of the 3rd quarter (won 33-25). “He is in great shape and his activity (on the field) showed it. I think the level he was able to maintain throughout the game, with energy on both ends of the court and on rebounds, reflected that as well.”greeted Mitch Johnson, coach for one evening.
In control on half court and in rhythm offensively, pushing the Wolves to the brink of implosion on a long distance shot from Julian Champagnie (102-85), the Spurs did not tremble. The serenity and control brought by the doublet Chris Paul (15 points and 13 assists for 1 lost ball) – Harrison Barnes (14 points) allowed the Spurs to sign a great collective victory, with 32 assists and five players more than 14 points. Something to delight Victor Wembanyama. “We are getting closer to the Spurs philosophy”sums up the French interior, all smiles.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Mitch Johnson replaces Gregg Popovich at short notice. The historic Spurs coach “not feeling well”it is the assistant of Team USA who was promoted to head coach for a night for the third time in his career. “I found out 90 minutes before the match”notes the 37-year-old technician.
– Few ball losses. As against the Jazz, the Spurs only lost 11 balls (including 3 for Wemby) and only 5 in the first half. The lack of discipline with the ball was often pointed out by Gregg Popovich at the start of the season. Progress in this sector is therefore essential for this young team.
– A precious Jeremy Sochan – Keldon Johnson duo. Without Devin Vassell and with an awkward Victor Wembanyama – Julian Champagnie tandem from afar, the Spurs needed other players to bring offensively. It was Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson who answered the call, with the Polish-American appearing to find his rhythm this season.
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).
