The Spurs started this game looking like they were the ones on a SEGABABA and not the Brooklyn Nets, who played (and won) on the road last night in Milwaukee. The Silver and Black played much of the first quarter in what felt like the daze of a Christmas hangover, unable to break double-digits until the literal final second of the frame. They managed to claw their way back into it in the 2nd quarter with very good 3-point shooting and a steady diet of trips to the free throw line, tying the game at 41 going into the half. San Antonio really woke up in the 3rd quarter, eventually claiming a double digit lead that they took into the final frame and ultimately never truly relinquished. Brooklyn had a couple guys make shots to keep it manageable in the 4th, but they were never able to truly threaten the Spurs again.
Observations
- Julian Champagnie, who claims Brooklyn as his hometown, got love from the Nets telecast throughout the game and was arguably the hero of the game for San Antonio. Champagnie was born on Staten Island but grew up in Brooklyn, going to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School before playing college basketball at St. John’s. His play had a lot to do with getting the Spurs back on track in the 2nd quarter after that horrendous opening frame, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the first few minutes of the 2nd quarter and played a huge part in getting the Silver and Black back on track.
- After shooting just 16% to start the game, San Antonio came out of halftime and shot 72% in the 3rd quarter, going 13/18 in the frame.
- Without the free throw line, it would have been nearly impossible for the Spurs to fight their way out of that horrible shooting start to the game. San Antonio shot 27 free throws compared to just 8 for the Nets, going 20/27 from the charity stripe, with a good chunk of them coming in the 2nd quarter. As a result, the Spurs were able to keep the deficit manageable as they worked their way through their offensive woes.
- Keldon Johnson’s buzzer beater to end the 1st quarter was the lone bright spot in a quarter where the Spurs shot 16% from the field and had just 8 points before Johnson’s 3-ball.
- Nic Claxton did an admirable job guarding Victor Wembanyama. Claxton, using his strength, length, and positioning to keep a body on Wemby and keep him away from his spots, made things uncomfortable for the young Frenchman, something that was especially true in the early going. Things turned on their head in the 3rd quarter though, as Vic got a few 3s to go down that seemed to open up the rest of the court for him.
- Another game, another place for that same young Frenchman in the record books. He finished the game with 6 blocks:
- Brooklyn Net Noah Clowney was ejected towards the end of the 4th quarter for what looked like a very minor spat with Jeremy Sochan and for berating the refs. The incident seemingly spilled over from earlier in the game, as Sochan was given a technical in the 3rd quarter following some extracurriculars with Clowney.
- Legendary NBA broadcaster and now-retired Marv Albert was in attendance for tonight’s game. Albert, who’s voice can be heard on countless legendary moments from the history of the league, retired after the 2021 season. His final game was Game 6 of the Atlanta Hawks-Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference Finals series.
The Spurs (16-15) finish the East coast portion of this 4-game road trip 1-2 after tonight’s win and the losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. They wrap it up Sunday night in Minnesota against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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