We expected the bleeding Spurs to compete with the Bulls on their floor on the evening of their second match of a “back-to-back”, notably with the return of Victor Wembanyama. On paper, there was reason to hope for a competitive match. On the ground, however, the debates were less balanced than expected.
If San Antonio held on in the first quarter thanks to a big start (27-28), the Bulls did what was necessary to regain the upper hand afterwards. There was the remarkable passage of Andre Drummond, aggressive at the end of the first act and author of two authoritarian dunks afterwards to put Chicago back in the lead (40-35).
The White-Carter pair takes the break
Relegated to -9 (52-43), the Texans were able to rely on Devin Vassell just before the break to reduce the gap (52-48), and the Sochan-Wembanyama pair after the break to support him and maintain thus San Antonio in the game. So much so that after three quarters, Gregg Popovich's troops were still in the game (77-70).
But the illusion quickly ended then, when Chicago attacked the last act with a 10-3 marked by 3-pointers from Jevon Carter and Coby White (83-70), then following the heat from Coby White, author of 12 of the following 17 points scored by the locals to bring the gap to +16 (102-86). Alongside an equally inspired DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams took advantage of the end of the match to let off steam with a big dunk as a final point to seal the victory for his team with a score of 114 to 95.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Victor Wembanyama transparent. The French pivot had one of his worst games of the season with 7 points and 5 rebounds on 3 out of 8 shots. Above all, we did not recognize it in the intensity or in the desire. As if he were sick or diminished. We saw him on numerous occasions looking absent on the Spurs bench. He was also the first to join the bench in the first quarter when coach Pop started his rotations to finish at 22 minutes, all without having really weighed as he can do. Worrying? Just a bad patch? “There are evenings like that” the Frenchman simply replied.
– Exchange of jerseys. Wemby swapped jerseys with… Connor Bedard, NHL Draft 1 number! It's rare, but the United Center brought together the number 1s from the NBA Draft and NHL last night!
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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.
