Victor Wembanyama's Spurs made the splits. From a controlled first quarter, with a lead of 26 points (40-14), the Texans saw the Clippers come back at very high speed in their brand new Intuit Dome to win for the third time of the season in seven matches, but also and above all for the first in their new hall.
Deprived of Gregg Popovich for a “indefinite duration” due to a health problem, San Antonio was given an additional mission and “big responsibilities”said interim coach Mitch Johnson before the match. Very skillful (15/22 on shots), the protégés of the Forst Bank Center first relied on a well-polished collective game with Chris Paul as maestro (14 points and 10 assists), often finding Victor Wembanyama on pick-and -roll.
And then, the Clippers machine got underway, with Ivica Zubac (17 points and 13 rebounds) and Amir Coffey (21 points) as architects of the Clippers' comeback. The Spurs, lacking consistency and inspiration, were never able to get back into the game, and it was James Harden with a 3-pointer with the fault, then his traditional “step-back” which knocked them out at the entrance to “money time”.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Jeremy Sochan hit in the foot. Author of a very good start to the season, the American-Polish winger was hit on the left foot in the first half. He did not return to the game.
Sprinkler Victor Wembanyama close to triple-double. Always very dissuasive in defense with 9 blocks, the French interior of the Spurs concluded the meeting with 24 points on 9/22 shots, including 2/9 3-pointers, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in 34 minutes. The other Frenchman in the game, Nicolas Batum, finished the game with +/- +12 in 20 minutes.
A first for the Clippers. After four failures, Tyronn Lue's players finally won in their new setting, the Intuit Dome. The “kop” of the Clippers appreciated this “comeback” after being up to 26 points behind.
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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.
