San Antonio changed to 2-0 on its rodeo road trip. The Spurs were defeated by a lazy defense in the first quarter, while Charlotte took advantage of San Antonio’s frequent mistakes to reach a 33-17 lead. San Antonio exploded in the second as if it had tripped over a hornet’s nest with 47 points and a noticeably higher level of effort at both ends. Both teams went back and forth for a frantic second half, but it was San Antonio’s talented wards who were able to grab a contest in the final stanza.
DeJounte Murray of San Antonio (26 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals), Derrick White (25 points, 4 assists and 3 steals) led a scoring effort now charistically balanced for the Spurs. Charlotte was accompanied by excellent efforts by Terry Rozier (33 points and 7 rebounds) and LaMelo Ball (17 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists).
Comments
- “Roses are red / Opponents are blue / When Derrick White and Dejounte Murray / Combine to pester and chase. ”The dynamic duo led the team in scoring the first half. Happy Valentine’s Day and Singles Awareness Day!
- San Antonio’s 9-3 record would be the best in the Eastern Conference.
- The teal color with honeycomb shapes that line the field and fill the painting add a charming touch.
- The good thing about watching another Ball game in the league is seeing your father’s association with the NBA diminished compared to what we all had to endure when Lonzo started his career.
- When he takes time to set it up, DeMar DeRozan has a very good 3-point shot.
- Ode to the beautiful game: While floating towards the right baseline, DeRozan found a Poeltl who dived on the runway and Poeltl, as his predecessor Boris Diaw would have done, quickly took the ball to Johnson in the left wing for a very difficult tray.
- Game Sequence: White hit the top three of the game in the left corner and deflected the ball from Ball’s leg at the other end to force a turn. Excellence in both directions!
- Keldon’s Kitchen: Keldon claimed the Finish the Lyric contest (Mariah Carey’s ‘We Belong Together’) by leaving by hitting the right melody on the opening lines of the song. The man who made it possible for the team to advance in the future returned to lead San Antonio in the first half recovery. Rudy Gay won the unofficial title of Finish the Lyric with “Somebody to Love Me” by Whitney Houston.
- Jakob’s closeouts: In the middle of the first quarter, Malik Monk from Charlotte found himself alone with Poeltl and immediately tried to put Jakob on his skates to take a step back – but the Austrian recovered in time to force a lost third.
- Sean Elliott observed ”Charlotte is a little too comfortable coming out of the gate, ”while Terry Rozier accompanied them on an 11-2 spurt. White seemed more comfortable in his moves and found his way to the free throw line. San Antonio left his touchdown in Atlanta and was beaten in the transition. Rozier (16 points) almost equaled the Spurs’ exit (17 points) in scorching shots, and the Hornets closed the quarter with a 13-0 streak.
- Rudy Gay and Patty Mills found success behind the hoop at the start of the second with a vintage Gay e-1 making it a five point deficit. While shooting comfortably on 90% of the field, the Spurs managed to take the lead at the end of the first half. Much of this had to do with Rozier’s insight and Ball’s magic. Lonnie Walker IV channeled his inner Manu into two impressive coins for Poeltl and Johnson – although Johnson’s basket didn’t count. An undisturbed Keldon won an e-1 in the next possession and his relentlessness on the boards caused havoc on the Charlotte front line. Johnson’s last setback provided the San Antonio 64-59 cushion at halftime.
- Rozier continued his candidacy for the All-Star team scoring from all over to start the third. San Antonio’s cold shot haunted them for a brief moment, while the Hornets regained the lead midway. A Walker IV dunk on a Johnson plate equalized at 77. A left Walker IV tray in traffic again tied the game at 82. Walker IV’s run took San Antonio ahead for a brief moment, but the teams ended in a stanza comes and goes tied in 89.
- The last quarter started with countless mistakes and the sloppy execution of two tired teams. It was White and Murray who stood out above the other perimeter players. Murray prepared his teammates exquisitely. White emerged from a busy tenure dispute briefly and guided a HORSE banker home. White’s fourth 3-point basket and a Poeltl pop-a-shot gave Spurs their first double-digit lead.
- Charlotte briefly employed her ‘Hack-a-Poeltl’ strategy and Poeltl converted 2 of 2. In the final minutes, Rozier and Ball led uncomfortable pressure across the court and converted several Spurs turns to reduce to six. DeRozan converted a fadeaway jumper to extend to eight. Rozier was presented with the superstar treatment after kicking his legs in a desperate jump and made the game six points again. A white reverse layup and a patented cargo carried on the other side froze the game.
For the Hornets fan perspective, visit No Hive.
Santo António next heads for Detroit Tuesday night for a complaint from the CT at 6pm against Blake Griffin and the Pistons.