With the game tied at 89 after three quarters, the San Antonio Spurs conceded just 21 points in the last 12 minutes and took the win with a defensive clinic that confused the Charlotte Hornets’ electric attack and kept their journey invincible.
It wasn’t all sun and rain for the Spurs, who again started the game slowly and allowed their opponents to take a big advantage in the first quarter. But to give credit to those who deserve it, it wasn’t just that San Antonio didn’t show up quickly. The Hornets came to play, picked up the pace every chance they had and made some outrageous three-point shots – especially Malik Monk – although most of the credit for the hot start has to go to Terry Rozier. The former Celtic, coming out of a 41-point performance on Friday, started the game as a burning house with 16 points in the first quarter, including some silky dribbles for the hoop and three points behind. The Hornets won 16 at the end of the first, 33-17.
After yet another disappointing start for the Spurs, they broke a record that has remained since 1987, scoring 47 points in the second quarter, and could not fail if they tried. The Spurs’ attack was so deadly that it hit 15 of the first 16 shots. A lot of credit goes to Dejounte Murray, who created it for himself and others, including some of his medium-range jumpers out of dribble. The Spurs took the lead in 55-53 on a tray from Jakob Poetl after a large plate from Lonnie Walker. San Antonio went to the locker room until 5.
San Antonio could not repeat that quarter and save everyone some nail biting moments. Hornets are a well-trained team, they have players who like to play against each other and work hard to win. Most of the rest of the game was a seesaw battle, with each team taking and losing the lead.
The Spurs finally got some breathing space at the end of the room due to its blunt defense and the ability of its creators to shoot. San Antonio led 114-102 with just under 3 to play when the Hornets started a full court trap and went on a 6-0 run fueled by some Spurs turns. Pop asked for a timeout and turned to DeMar DeRozan, who was focused on preparing his teammates. He finished with just eight points, but when he was most needed, he fell out with the Hornets center, took him to an island and hit J right on top of him. With the ship fixed, Charlotte did not threaten the rest of the way.
Comments:
- Derrick White looks good. Mr. All-round had his best game of the season. He had a season record of 25 points in just under 27 minutes. The 25 points included 4/8 of the three-point line, where he looks as comfortable as in the bubble. He also contributed 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 strokes. The most impressive moment of the game for him was after DeMar made his last jump. Hornets came back and hit with 2 points of their own. With the clock ticking, White attacked the ring and hit a reverse tray with a dagger to seal the game. BUT MORE, the Hornets ran the other way to try to keep the game alive, but Derrick took a step ahead of a Rozier who was driving and took a load that put the game to rest.
- My favorite move has to be Keldon Johnson’s. He cut into the basket and received the ball, falsely pumped the defender, took the contact and hit the e-1, BUT the referee did not count. The referee said the foul was before the shot and was on the ground even after Spurs’ players protested. Then it was San Antonio’s ball from the side, passed and then went to Keldon at the top of the perimeter and Keldon drove again, got the contact and hit the e-1 back. In short, this is Keldon. If you don’t give it to him too, he’ll accept it from you.
- Lonnie’s return performance: Skywalker had a difficult couple of weeks, with the illness that caused him to miss a few games before being relegated to the bench, and his increasingly poor performance led fans to question him. On Sunday, Lonnie Walker showed what he can do when he’s playing with speed, confidence and aggression. Walker IV finished with 11 points in an efficient 5/7 shot. The best part of the game tonight was the way he played in the third, he scored 7 points and played great defense countless times in the Hornets’ best attacker, Terry Rozier. Keep it up, Lonnie.
- Once again, Jakob Poetl made a difference. The fact that he played with a 36-minute team tonight only shows how much Pop and the coaching staff think of him and the way he has been performing. He was brilliant again, 4 BLOCKS AND 1 STEAL to go with 12 rebounds is exactly what Spurs need from their big man. Also, in the bedroom he took a trip to the line and hit both free throws.
- Am I happy that LaMelo Ball is at the Eastern Conference? yea.
- Quick note: Dejoujnte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker played a combined 108 minutes of free basketball.
Next game: @ Pistons on Tuesday
The Spurs will play the third of their seven consecutive games when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. The Pistons have been playing well recently and the Spurs need to be ready to go if they are to remain unbeaten on this year’s rodeo trip.