With the game tied after three quarters, the San Antonio Spurs allowed just 21 points in the last twelve minutes and scored the victory with a defensive clinic that dropped the Charlotte Hornets’ electric attack and kept their unbeaten run going. has.
It was not just sunshine and rainbows for the Spurs, who started the game slowly again and gave their opponent the lead in the first quarter. But giving credit where it belongs is not just about San Antonio not coming out fast. The Hornets came to play, taking every chance they got, speeding up and making some outrageous three-point shots – especially Malik Monk – although Terry Rozier had the most credit for the hot start. The former Celtic, who scored a 41-point performance on Friday, started the game like a house on fire with 16 first-quarter points, including some silky dribble moves to the edge and a three-point setback . The Hornets were 33-17 at the end of the first.
After another sad start for the Spurs, they broke a record that has stood since 1987 and scored 47 points in the second quarter, and they could not miss if they tried. The Spurs attack was so deadly that they hit 15 of their first 16 shots. Much credit should be given to Dejounte Murray who has created for himself and others, including some of his drip-mid-range jumpers. The Spurs took their first lead at 55-53 when Jakob Poetl put down a wonderful dish from Lonnie Walker. San Antonio closed the locker room at 5 p.m.
San Antonio could not repeat that quarter and everyone nailed a few moments. The Hornets are a well-coached team, they have players who like to play with each other and work hard to win. Most of the rest of the game was a seesaw battle with each team taking the lead and losing.
The Spurs finally got late in the fourth bit of breathing space due to their hunting defense and the shooting of their playmakers. San Antonio led 114-102 with just under 3 to play when the Hornets started a full-fall and fueled a 6-0 run through some Spurs turnover. Pop called a time-out and turned to DeMar DeRozan who was focused on setting up his teammates. He finished with just eight points, but when he was most needed, he got into a mismatch with the Hornets center, took him to an island and hit the J right over him. While the ship was ready, Charlotte did not threaten the rest of the way.
Observations:
- Derrick White looks good. Mr All-round had his best game of the season. He peaked at 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 setbacks, 4 assists AND 4 STEELS. The most impressive moment of the match for him was after DeMar hit his late jumper. The Hornets came back and tipped with 2 points of their own. When the shot clock ran out, White attacked the edge and struck a dagger in reverse layup to seal the game. BUT MORE the Hornets rushed to the other side to try and keep the game alive, but Derrick stepped in front of a floating Rozier and took an accusation that brought the game to a standstill.
- My favorite game of the game should be from Keldon Johnson. He cuts to the basket and receives the ball, pumps the fake on the defender, takes the contact and hits the and-1 BUT the ref does not count it. The referee said the offense was before the shot and was on the floor even after the protest of the Spurs players. So it was a San Antonio ball from the side, it was transferred and then moved to Keldon at the top of the perimeter, and Keldon drove again, took the contact and got the en-1 right again. This is Keldon in a nutshell. If you do not give it to him, he will only take it from you.
- Lonnie’s comeback performance: Skywalker had a tough few weeks, with the illness missing him a few games to move to the bench after that, and his increasingly poor performances led fans to question him. On Sunday, Lonnie Walker showed what he can do when he plays with pace, confidence and aggression. Walker IV finished with 11 points on an effective 5/7 shooting. The best part of the game tonight was the way he played in the third game; he had 7 points and several times an excellent defense on Hornets best attacking player Terry Rozier. Keep it up, Lonnie.
- Once again, Jakob Poetl was a difference maker. The fact that he played a team for 36 minutes tonight shows just how much Pop and the coaching staff think of him and how he has performed. He was once again brilliant, 4 BLOCKS AND 1 STEEL to go with 12 rebounds is exactly what the Spurs need from their big man. Plus, in the fourth he made a turn at the line and struck both free throws.
- Am I glad LaMelo Ball is in the Oriental Conference? Yes.
- Brief remark: Dejoujnte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker played 108 minutes of turnover-free basketball together.
Next game: @ Pistons on Tuesday
The Spurs play the third of their seven consecutive road games when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. The Pistons have played well recently and the Spurs will have to be ready if they want to stay unbeaten on this year’s rodeo ride.