Earlier than the season began, each the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs had been projected to complete close to the underside of the NBA standings. With simply greater than 20 video games left to go, that’s precisely the place the Spurs (14-47) discover themselves whereas the Jazz (31-31) wish to keep within the combine. In Utah for the ultimate video games of the Rodeo Street Journey, San Antonio practically confirmed they may cling with one of many higher groups this season, however collapsed within the second half. The Spurs misplaced 118-102, extending their franchise-record shedding streak to 16 video games.
Utah’s bigs proved to be a mismatch for the Spurs, however not fairly to the extent that one might need anticipated. All-Star Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 27 factors, overcoming a sluggish begin to end robust. The Jazz’s Walker Kessler was a pressure on the defensive finish, knocking down a game-high 12 whole rebounds. He additionally blocked 5 pictures, only one lower than San Antonio recorded as a group. For the Spurs, Jeremy Sochan was the one participant to attain greater than 20 factors, recording 22 whereas taking pictures 44 p.c from the ground.
Story of Two Halves for the San Antonio Spurs
Within the opening minutes of the sport Saturday night time, it appeared just like the Spurs may run the Jazz out of their very own home. San Antonio jumped out to a 13-2 lead within the first three minutes as Utah appeared sloppy and the Spurs took benefit. They had been capable of shield that lead for the rest of the primary half, largely by limiting the Jazz from past the arc (23 p.c) whereas excelling from the perimeter themselves (44 p.c). By halftime, 4 Spurs had already scored double-digits, whereas Kris Dunn was the one one to take action for Utah with 11 factors off the bench.
The second half was a very totally different story for the Spurs who went 0-9 from three-point vary within the third quarter, tanking their taking pictures proportion. Utah outscored the guests 30-14, serving to them take a lead that they by no means relinquished. The fourth quarter was largely the identical with the taking pictures struggles for San Antonio who remained ice-cold from deep whereas Markkanen was something however. He linked on all three of his three-point makes an attempt, scoring 14 factors and placing the sport away.
Some nights it simply isn’t your night time, however wanting on the final two losses, the Spurs seem to have a second-half downside. In each the losses to the Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks this week, stable taking pictures performances within the first half of the sport dropped off steeply after halftime. This hasn’t been the case for the remainder of the season and could possibly be only a momentary phenomenon. Nonetheless, it will likely be one thing to observe when Utah and San Antonio meet once more on Tuesday to shut out the Rodeo Street Journey.
Up Subsequent for the Spurs
After practically a month away from the AT&T Heart, what’s a few extra days? The Spurs will hand around in Utah earlier than assembly with the Jazz once more on Tuesday in Salt Lake Metropolis. After Saturday night time’s loss, the season sequence is tied at 1-1, and San Antonio is determined to style victory once more. Factoring within the lack of touring earlier than their subsequent recreation, the Spurs could possibly be in an excellent place to finish the highway journey with a win earlier than returning to the Alamo Metropolis. Tip-off on Tuesday is at 8 p.m. CT.
Take a look at the total field rating at NBA.com.
