Game 20: Wemby Tallies Triple-Double in Spurs' Comeback win over Kings
(1) What went well? (2) Wemby's triple-double (3) Vassell off the bench (4) CP3's double-double (5) More observations and notes
In the early hours of December 1, I was running the numbers to see how the San Antonio Spurs were doing in each quarter this season. The data said the Spurs were still dominating third quarters, but now, the Spurs were also starting to win fourth quarters as well.
Sunday’s Spurs game in Sacramento was a prime example of the Spurs’ pattern this season - fall behind early, then make a comeback in the second half.
The Spurs did just that, as they fell behind by as many as 17 points in the first half. The Spurs started to chip away at the Kings’ lead in the second quarter, and then in third and fourth quarters, the Spurs once again won those two quarters, to defeat the Kings by 2, 127-125. Victor Wembanyama finished with his third career triple double in the win (more on Wemby below).
“It felt like we sleep walking a little bit at the start of the game, didn’t feel much physicality or resistance on defense,” said Spurs Acting Head Coach Mitch Johnson after the game. “I think we picked it up there in the second and fourth quarter, and it was a big difference.”
“Just sustaining focus, just sustaining effort,” said Harrison Barnes of the Spurs learning to win games on the road.
The young Spurs with a mix of older veterans in Chris Paul and Barnes are continuing to play winning basketball in crunch time. The Spurs and Kings entered the final five minutes tied at 111. The Spurs went to Wemby in the pick-and-roll to get switches on to Kings guards, where Victor was able to either score, or find teammates when the Kings double teamed him.
The Spurs outscored the Kings 16-14 in those final five minutes to hold on for the close win. The Spurs’ crunch time record improved to 5-3 this season, best for 6th in the NBA by crunch time winning percentage.
“I think there’s a growth that happens, a maturation naturally,” said Coach Johnson of the Spurs improving in crunch time.
“We for sure show a lot more certainty in where we need to hurt the opponents,” said Wemby of the Spurs’ improvement in crunch time this season. “Chris (Paul) has a lot of influence on that, talking us through.”
With the win, the Spurs are now 2-0 this season against the Kings. By coming back from a 15-point deficit, the Spurs made their 3rd 15-point comeback of the season (3-6 when down by 15 points).
(1) What went well?
Shooting and Scoring - Sunday was a key example of the 2 vs the 3. The Spurs took 56% of their shots from three (season high in percentage of shots), while the Kings attempted just 32% of their shots from three. The Spurs made a season high 23 threes and shot a new season best 50% from three. Wemby, Julian Champagnie, Paul, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell all made 3 or more triples in the game. The Spurs also shot 56% from mid-range, with Wemby and Vassell making up most of the points for the team from the non-paint two.
“We shot it well,” said Coach Johnson of the 3-point shooting after the game. “Sacramento does a great job of packing the paint, showing heavy shifts.”
Getting to the foul line - The Spurs made 20 free throws and shot 83% from the line in the win. The Spurs drew early fouls on the Kings in the fourth and they were able to get into the bonus with 9 minutes left in the final quarter. With the Kings trying not to foul, they couldn’t be as aggressive defensively, which helped in the Spurs scoring 35 points in the quarter, their highest scoring quarter of the game. Wemby led the Spurs with 7 free throw makes, and Champagnie was right behind him with 5 foul makes.
Ball movement - The Spurs finished with 32 assists on 42 made baskets. The team had a tough time with turnovers (16) as well, especially in the first half. Wemby led the Spurs with a new career high 11 assists, while Paul tallied 10 assists as part of his 8th double-double of the season.
(2) Wemby’s Triple-Double
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Spot Up Shot to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.