What is the story about?
The Spurs returned home from an OT loss in Denver to close the regular season on a four-game home stand, beginning against the fully healthy Philadelphia 76ers squad. Although they lost Victor Wembanyama to a bruised rib at halftime, everyone contributed in a team effort to methodically break down the 76ers defense and make life as difficult as possible on their way to a 115-102 win.
Six Spurs score in double figures, led by 19-point, 11-rebound, 13-assist triple double, and Wemby had 17 points in one
half, as well as Dylan Harper off the bench. Joel Embiid scored 34 points, including 16-19 from the free throw line, but the Spurs held Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in check, who combine for 31 points on 11-31 shooting.
Observations
- The Spurs seemed to be suffering a bit from “first game back” syndrome early on after playing three straight and six of seven on the road, lacking energy and being reckless with the ball while the 76ers were hot from three, especially Paul George, who had 11 points in the first quarter. The Spurs finally woke up a bit for a 7-2 run to close the quarter and take a one-point lead, but five turnovers, including a couple during that run, held them back.
- Every team’s last-week biggest fear occured early in the first quarter when Joel Embiid hobbled out after tweaking his knee as Stephon Castle drove by, and Castle soon followed after appearing to bang knees with Wemby. Fortunately, Embiid returned with three minutes left in the first quarter (but was still hobbling and stretching it out when he could), and Castle was soon back on the bench after a brief visit to the locker room and re-entered to start the second quarter.
- Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of injury scares. Early in the second quarter, Wemby headed to the locker room after colliding with George on a fast break, appearing to favor his left side. He returned midway through the quarter, although he was wincing at times (such as when he collided with Embiid on an and-one) and visited with trainer Will Sevening during breaks in play. He headed to the locker room with under a minute left in the half and did not return, diagnosed with a left rib contusion. Hopefully the Spurs simply decided there was no reason to risk anything more and it’s nothing serious. That being said, he did get 16 minutes in, so this counts as his second “near miss exception” towards his 65-game count, which includes the NBA Cup Final, so he just needs one more 20-minute game to meet the requirement for awards.
- With Embiid slow to get back on defense, even when staying on his feet, the Spurs finally figured out that attacking in transition was the way to go, with 11 fast break points at the half. When their defense did get set, they simply forced Embiid to have to move on defense and slid right by him. Although he had a big second quarter with 17 of his 20 first-half points, the Spurs still added six points to the lead by taking better care of the ball and attacking the weak points in the 76ers defense.
- The 76ers started the third quarter on a 10-3 run before the Spurs responded with a 9-0 run and led by as much as 11, but they struggled while being forced to play small lineups and keeping Embiid off the foul line. Philly got as close as two points before the Spurs closed the quarter on a quick 5-0 run, including a three from Dylan Harper just before the buzzer.
- The Spurs continued to ride that energy and out-hustle the 76ers in the fourth quarter, grabbing tough rebounds maintaining a double-digit lead it almost the entire time. The win gives them their first 60-win season since 2017. Also, combined a Pistons loss to the Magic tonight, this means the Spurs have secured home court advantage in the Finals, although they are a long way and tough road away from even worrying about that.
