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The San Antonio Spurs found themselves down twelve to the Toronto Raptors. They kicked up the defensive intensity at the start of the fourth quarter, outscoring Toronto 32-17 in the final frame to secure the 110-107 victory. The Spurs nearly lost a free-throw battle down the stretch. The team went 13-23 from the line for the game, but made enough free throws to squeak out the win.
On a night when Victor Wembanyama was held quiet, the Spurs guards stepped up to carry the offensive load. Devin Vassell had 21 points while hitting 5 three-pointers, De’Aaron Fox had 20 points, including some clutch shots in the fourth quarter, and Dylan Harper had 15 points and 7 assists off the bench. Toronto had a similarly balanced offensive attack, with Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley leading the team with 20 points apiece.
With the win, the Spurs have won 10 straight games, with a record of 42-16. They’ll look to extend their winning streak against the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow night.
Observations
- Wembanyama seemed frustrated the entire game. He had 12 points on 3-12 shooting, adding 8 rebounds and 5 blocks. The Raptors were incredibly physical with him, not letting him catch the ball inside and staying in front of him on the perimeter. He was incredibly impactful defensively, but just couldn’t shake free offensively.
- Harper had one of his best games of the season. Despite Toronto’s physical pressure defense, he remained calm and played at his own pace. Defensively, he guarded with physicality and did a great job staying in front of Ingram in the fourth quarter.
- The Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA at holding teams from scoring off their turnovers. They allowed the Raptors to score 23 points off their 13 turnovers on Wednesday night. It was one of the main reasons that Toronto was able to build a big lead going into the fourth quarter.
- Old friend Jakob Poeltl had a great game for the Raptors. He put up 15 points, 7 rebounds, and had 3 blocks. He was incredibly effective on Wembanyama. Late in the game, the Spurs’ superstar tried to get Poeltl in isolation, but couldn’t get around Toronto’s center. It was one of the more impressive defensive showings from an opposing big man this season.
- With a Spurs win and an Oklahoma City Thunder loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, San Antonio is now two games back from the number one seed in the West. There is a very real chance that the Spurs can catch OKC for first place.
- Fox hit a shot in the fourth quarter that made my mouth drop. With three seconds left on the shot clock, he fought through tough perimeter defense and found himself behind the backboard. He tossed up a lefty floater that swished in gently.