Looking to push their win streak to 3, the Spurs got out to a fast start, building a double digit lead early in the game and making it look easy. The way Chicago has started this year though that wasn’t
likely to last, and in the 2nd quarter the Bulls were able to settle down, putting up 38 points and securing a 64-63 lead at the half despite some stellar play from Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. The 3rd quarter was more of the same, as Chicago relied on an extremely balanced offensive attack and some aggressive defense to build on their lead heading into the final quarter.
The early moments of the 4th quarter did little to inspire confidence, and Chicago looked like they were about to run away with the game. A 10-0 explosion by Wemby cut the lead to just 3 halfway through the quarter though, and the Spurs somehow found themselves in a clutch time situation. With Wemby and Stephon Castle leading the way, the Spurs finished the game on a 30-13 run to end the game. Victor’s 6th made 3-pointer gave San Antonio the lead for good in the waning moments of the 4th, with the, “Area 51,” duo sealing the W with some clutch free throws in the final seconds of the game.
Observations
- Area 51 was huge throughout this entire game. Wembanyama got off to a fast start with 15 points and 4 blocks in the first half, while Stephon Castle chipped in with his usual phenomenal defense and looking to penetrate the opposing defense any chance he could. They played the biggest part in San Antonio’s 4th quarter comeback, seemingly either assisting or scoring on every Spurs’ bucket in crunch time. Wemby finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 5 blocks, passing Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton with 95 straight games with a block. As for Castle, his 19 points and 11 assists notched him his 3rd consecutive double-double.
- Speaking of Castle, does anyone throw the lob pass better than the 2nd year guard? Certainly no one on the Spurs tosses the lob better than Castle, who found Luke Kornet more than once on lobs down the stretch of tonight’s game to keep the Spurs within striking distance late.
- With Luke Kornet making his return tonight following a 9-game absence with an ankle injury, head coach Mitch Johnson finally had most of his roster at his disposal for the first time all season, with Dylan Harper being the lone man out for San Antonio. Johnson played 12 different players within the first 16 minutes of the game, giving him a chance to try units featuring two of their 7 foot trio of Kornet, Wemby, and Kelly Olynyk. With Kornet back, the Spurs finally have some competent depth at the 5 spot to spell Wemby, especially defensively. Johnson actually went with the duo of Vic and Luke during crunch-time and it paid off.
- Chicago doesn’t have any big names, but they play hard and their offense is always humming no matter who is out there in a way that feels reminiscent of the Indiana Pacers last season. Everyone on the team is a threat to drive, shoot, pass, screen, and cut at any given time. They had numerous examples throughout the game of excellent offensive execution. It was noted on the broadcast that no team in the league has driven the ball as much as Chicago has to start this season, and that paint penetration is what sets up everything else for them.
- It’s nice to see that Tre Jones has found himself on a good team and playing well. The former Spur finished with a season-high 20 points against his former squad to go along with 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
- Devin Vassell played just 21 minutes in this game. It was announced in the 4th quarter that Vassell was quenstionable to return with a migraine, the old Scottie Pippin special.
- Former Chicago Bull and San Antonio Spur Will Purdue joined Jacob Tobbey and Sean Elliott on the broadcast during a very forgettable 3rd quarter for the Spurs. Purdue won 3 championships with the Bulls during their first 3-peat before being part of the trade that sent Dennis Rodman to Chicago. Purdue went on to win his 4th title in 1999 with the Spurs, being part of the first championship in team history.
- In one of the more wholesome moments anyone will see while watching an NBA game, Spurs legend Sean Elliott introduced the world to his grandson on the broadcast in the 1st quarter, as the camera caught a glimpse of Sean’s family in the audience for the game.
The Spurs will be at home Wednesday night for the first of back to back games this week against the Golden State Warriors, starting at 7:00 CT. It marks the beginning of a 5-game homestand for the Silver and Black, as they look to build on the best start to a season since 2015-2016.
