The Spurs extended their winning streak to 11 and secured a perfect record in February. They dominated from start to finish on their visit to Brooklyn, often playing amazing team ball, with seven players reaching double digits on their way to a 126-110 victory.
After a disaster of a game at times in terms of execution against the Raptors the prior night, the Spurs looked like a completely different team in the early minutes against the Nets. The ball was moving crisply and finding the open men, who
connected on three pointers. The Silver and Black guarded with intensity and pushed the pace off turnovers for easy looks. Brooklyn constantly tried to touch the paint, with Nolan Traore leading the way, but they were running into Wembanyama and failing to score. The home team found more success when Wemby rested and Day’Ron Sharpe attacked Luke Kornet, but the perimeter defense remained active even with some starters getting extra rest on the second game of a back-to-back.
Understandably, considering the opponent and the quick double-digit lead after one, San Antonio relaxed a little on both ends in the second. The ball movement stalled out at times, especially when there were three non-shooters on the floor. Wembanyama started to get more involved on offense, but wasn’t the force he can be. When they could push the pace, the opportunities for easy buckets were there, but the half-court execution wasn’t as sharp for the Spurs. The Nets, meanwhile, hit a couple of threes, dominated the offensive glass to create second chances, and continued to drive whenever possible. Brooklyn didn’t shine on either end, but managed to just trade buckets and keep the Spurs’ lead from getting insurmountable. At the break, the Silver and Black were up 15.
The Spurs have played with their food in the past, and it looked like they would again on Thursday to start the second half. The ball movement completely stopped as ball handlers dribbled and made passes without much purpose that didn’t create an advantage. By itself, the issues on offense wouldn’t have been too worrisome, but the Nets continued to dominate the offensive glass, San Antonio’s ball pressure and intensity disappeared, and Michael Porter Jr. started to heat up. The Silver and Black looked tired and complacent for a while. Fortunately, they snapped out of it in time to regain a double-digit lead, and the second unit closed the third frame strong. A lead that Brooklyn fought hard to cut to six ballooned back to 20 heading into the final period.
There wasn’t much to the game after that. The Spurs kept growing their lead early, which allowed Mitch Johnson to rest some of his starters and then empty his bench with over six minutes to go. The Nets’ deep bench had some interesting moments, but the win was never in question. After prevailing in back-to-back games and finishing February with a perfect record, San Antonio will get some rest and try to extend the longest winning streak in the league to 12.
Game notes:
- Victor Wembanyama has mentioned that he’s tired after All-Star weekend and that he’s had trouble sleeping. He played like someone who had to manage his effort level. He was still dominant on defense for long stretches and finished with a decent stat line, but he definitely needs rest, which he should be able to get now that the SEGABABA is over.
- Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie once again provided scorching hot shooting. The duo combined for 10 three-pointers in 16 attempts. The equal-opportunity, ball-movement-oriented style San Antonio has adopted recently plays to their strenghts. They didn’t just shoot, though. Champagnie finished with three steals and two blocks, and Vassell had seven rebounds and four assists.
- The three-headed monster of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper was a nightmare for the Nets for the entire game. They pressured ball handlers to create turnovers and pushed the pace to get easy buckets. All three scored in double digits, with Castle leading the way with 18, and they combined for 18 assists to four turnovers.
- Whenever the Spurs were starting to play with less energy, Keldon Johnson provided a jolt. He attacked the paint as usual, but also defended well and talked to his teammates to wake them up. After some rocky years, KJ has found his place in the league, and it’s been great to watch.
- Luke Kornet has such a thankless job. Because Wembanyama is so dominant, whoever backs him up is going to look bad in comparison. Teams attack more when Kornet is out there, and he’s forced to be a part of some shooting-challenged lineups that don’t do him any favors. It’s easy to take him for granted or just wonder when Wemby will check back in whenever he’s resting, but the truth is having Kornet, limitations and all, is a luxury for the Spurs, even if his stat lines are rarely impressive.
- Carter Bryant had a horrendous game, a throwback to the early-season ones in which he looked lost and too green to be on the floor. It’s nothing to worry about, long term, but a matchup against a young, tanking team seemed like a good chance for him to get some big minutes. Instead, he had a bad first stint, got called out by Mitch Johnson after going under on Egor Demin and allowing an open three, and finished the game 0-for-6. A missed opportunity to overtake Harrison Barnes in the rotation, as Barnes struggled with his shot but looked like the more reliable option by far.
Play of the game
Dylan Harper is known for being a smooth player more than an explosive one, but he will occasionally showcase his impressive hops.
Next game: at New York Knicks on Sunday
The Spurs will have two days off to rest before facing one of the best teams in the East in the second-to-last Rodeo Road Trip game.
