Suddenly, the Frost Bank Center – far from being complete – began to become one with its players. Enchanted by the collective effort and desire of this team, the Texan supporters began to vibrate in the second half. So, of course, the copy of the Spurs can still be improved, but Mitch Johnson's men put their heart into the work and knew how to wash away the affront against the Jazz (victory 126-118).
They thus balance their record at 8 victories for 8 defeats. Last year, the Spurs waited until mid-January to total eight victories. “Last year, we were caught in a negative spiral while today, it’s nice to see the growth of our team”smiles Mitch Johnson. “Pop always talks about 'process' and says that we shouldn't skip steps and we can clearly see that today. »
Chris Paul's aura on the Spurs
Getting off to a bad start in the first half, the Spurs relied on the experience and aura of Chris Paul to turn the game around. Author of the shot to take control of the match seven minutes from time (103-102), “CP3” distributed the caviars to his teammates on the counter-attack, before knocking out the Jazz and Lauri Markannen with a long-distance shot in the corner, his only winning shot successful in six attempts.
« I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of Chris Paul, especially when we faced him almost every year in the playoffs, but now, I love watching him play and lead these Spurs.”greeted the mayor of San Antonio, Ron Niremberg, on X, while the project for a new hall by 2032 was presented this morning at town hall.
A poorly controlled second half for Jazz
Deprived of three of their executives (Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan), the Spurs have long been amorphous, without much inspiration and without much success at 3-points (5/21 behind the arc in the first half). But Charles Bassey and his six blocks as well as a Stephon Castle brimming with energy (18 points on 6/15 on shots and 6 assists in 34 minutes) were able to put the Spurs back on track.
“We didn’t come into the match with the right energy”regrets Mitch Johnson. “I didn't like the way we reacted to some mistakes. Our body language was not good. We dribbled on our feet, we missed a layup, we were too indecisive in our decision-making. »
The Jazz – shaken by Will Hardy after Dalton Knecht's 37 points and the defeat at the Lakers – kept a ten-point lead for most of the meeting before being overtaken by the intensity of the Spurs. Lauri Markkanen (27 points at 8/17 on shots) stepped up but it was not enough to allow his team to win a second time in three games against Spurs…
WHAT TO REMEMBER
— Victor Wembanyama still unavailable. Still on the flank, “Wemby” was once again left to rest against the Jazz after his knee shock against the Lakers last week. Mitch Johnson repeated it again: the Frenchman will be “very soon” return. Note that he participated in part of the warm-up with his teammates.
—San Antonio solid at home. Only beaten by Houston, the Lakers and the same Jazz two weeks ago, the Spurs have won seven times in ten games at the Frost Bank Center. A start that the Alamo City protégés had not experienced since the 2017/18 season (8 wins in 10 matches).
— A fatal last quarter for Jazz. Leading at halftime (65-51), Utah completely lost its footing after returning from the locker room, to the point of breaking down in the fourth and final quarter (41-29).
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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.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
