The San Antonio Spurs returned home after a loss to the Golden State, but the comfortable confines of the AT&T Center didn’t offer them more help than they did throughout the season, as they dropped to 2-5 at home. The Dallas Mavericks went red-hot to build a 19-point lead in the second quarter, and although the Spurs came back and almost stole in the end, it was too much for them to overcome. Perhaps more significantly, they lost Dejounte Murray early to an ankle sprain. If he wastes too much time, it will be a challenge with him and Derrick White out.
DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Alridge had good recovery games with a total of 55 points, and Keldon Johnson scored 17 points and 14 double-double rebounds. Luka Doncic had 36 points and led four double-digit Mavs holders.
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- Welcome back, Becky Hammon! The Spurs assistant technician returned to the bank after two weeks in quarantine under the COVID-19 protocols. Drew Eubanks is also back, but not ready to play (indicating that he may have had COVID).
- Murray hobbled into the locker room after Spurs’ second defensive possession in the game, after landing at the foot of Kristaps Porzingis (who had already scored 5 points at that time). It was announced that he would not return due to a sprained ankle. As a result, second-round pick Tre Jones had his first junk-free period in his career when he entered to start the second half for two minutes.
- The Spurs had another slow start to this game, but suddenly, out of nowhere, Aldridge scored 14 points, hitting four in a row in the first quarter, sandwiched around a couple of Rudy Gay and Patty Mills. For anyone scoring points, Spurs hit three out of six consecutive possessions (even one in which the referees inexplicably scored a foul on the ground in what clearly should have been three FTs for Mills, but he responded with a three anyway) . Unfortunately, the Spurs have not yet managed to stop the Mavs on the other side, especially Doncic (19 points in the first), and they were still losing 37-34 in the second quarter.
- Jakob Poeltl continues to have problems not being called for fouls (legitimate or not). To that end, it seemed that the Mavs knew the chances were pretty decent that the referees would pay anything at Poeltl, so they struggled and got it right a few times to try to draw more calls. Fortunately, the referees were not falling for this.
- Mavs’ hot firefight continued throughout the second quarter, opening a double-digit lead after hitting five three and one and one in his first seven possessions. Meanwhile, the Spurs ‘shooting has cooled, allowing the Mavs’ leadership to reach 19, but they finally realized that Dallas was without self-defense and started attacking the rim (with Keldon Johnson naturally being the main aggressor) to reach 68- 58, in half. At the very least, it was nice to see them react this time instead of being out of the game at halftime for the second consecutive game.
- Mavs’ shot finally cooled a little in the third quarter, but the Spurs did not heat up, and they were unable to keep Dallas out of the line, as they maintained a 10 point lead in the fourth period. But, to the credit of the Spurs, they continued to compete – something the team from last season rarely did.
- Keldon Johnson had to sit at the start of the fourth period with five fouls, and at least three of them were called softball. Devin Vassell also received rookie treatment at times, but they didn’t let that stop them from playing their best. The benefit of the doubt will come with time and experience.
- Each time the Spurs threatened to run, it seemed that the basketball gods simply wouldn’t let them get any closer. A premature foul, kicks rolling, the Mavs had an answer, etc., and the Spurs were never able to take advantage and capitalize when Doncic rested. But they still wouldn’t leave. The defense tightened, they took the opportunity to enter the bonus with a few minutes left, and continued to attack the ring while Doncic faced five fouls himself. They ran a 14-2 run to reach a point one minute from the end, but failed to close the deal.
- The best description I have of Aldridge on defense at the moment is that he looks like he donated his ACLs to DeJuan Blair. He just doesn’t have the speed, agility or jumps to close or stay with the driving players anymore. His skills still allow him to be an effective player in attack, but his mobility is over.
- Mandatory entry “I miss Boban Marjanovic”.
For the perspective of Mavericks fans, visit Mavs Moneyball.
Spurs return to the AT&T Center on Sunday to start a SEGABABA, starting with Washington Wizards. The information will be at 19:00 CT in the FSSW.