Victor Wembanyama He continues to leave many sensations and spectacular actions that allow him to be classified as a unique player, but this time they did not help him avoid his first great disappointment. after the Spurs fell to the Raptors in overtime (116-123) and missed a key rebound at the limit of regulation time. Despite everything, the French prodigy almost returned to tracing the averages of his first five games, in which he had averaged 20.6 points, 8 rebounds, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.6 minutes on average. This time he also finished with good numbers: 20 points (5/9 t2, 2/6 t3 and 4/5 tl), 9 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists in 32 minutesbut he could not avoid the defeat of his team, which comfortably dominated until the break.
Even in extra time, despite having only 19 years, assumed responsibility for his team, something that honors him. He scored two baskets, but missed two triples (the second went off the rim) and the Spurs gave up. Neither his effort and his audacity nor the contributions of Keldon Johnson (26+6+3), Collins (21+11+5) and Branham (16+6) served before the success of Barnes (28 points with 5/10 t3), Anunoby (23 points with 7/13 t3), and Schroder (24+3+6)great architects of the comeback of the Raptors for whom the game had become almost impossible (54-35).
Popovich dosed the French prodigy
Gregg Popovich He dosed his star’s time on the court a little more, especially because of how easy the game was for the Spurs until the third quarter. But despite that, the French phenomenon showed signs of being an exceptional player, starring in plays inappropriate for his stature to which, by repeating himself, he will eventually have to get used to. It’s amazing to see him sometimes get the ball up like a point guard or score triples as if he were a shooting guard. But also put blocks while keeping the ball in your hand or smash as if you were playing in a mini-basketball basket.
A little of all that showed The animal against the Raptors, who placed Anunobya player who is barely over 2.00 m tall, looking for speed to anticipate his defense. It was not a good solution. In the first quarter the Frenchman started with a block on Poelti keeping the ball in his hand. He then scored a basket from mid-distance and a little later signed a 3+1 in front of Anunoby himself, that he could only see his rival’s arm rising to the sky from afar before the ball entered.
Lots of production in a short time
Wemby He completed his recital in the first act with another mate and a new plug to Anunoby, who couldn’t even get the ball in his presence. In 8 minutes he had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and an assist. Difficult to do more in less time. Seconded by Keldon Johnsonthe production of Schroder (7) and Anunoby (6) It was insufficient for the Raptors (26-22).
The second quarter started the same, putting a block on McDanielsbut after three minutes Popovich He sent him to the bench. And paradoxically, the Frenchman sat down and extended his team’s advantage with a partial 18-5 (44-27). He returned to the field two minutes before halftime and had time to score his second triple. By then he had already invoiced 12 points (2/4 t2, 2/3 t3), 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in 13 minutes on the court. Johnson (12) and Collins (9) were the Frenchman’s best allies in that first half.
Already in the second half he signed 2 points, one rebound, one assist and one steal in just six minutes. Nor was it being very necessary against some rather deficient Raptors who accumulated 11 turnovers, they lost the rebound battle (28-18) and lived almost exclusively on Anunoby (12) and Schroder (9).
The Spurs let themselves go and Toronto comes back
The difference in the score was more than justified (54-35). And the game seemed so resolved that the SpursWembanyama was no exception despite leaving some magical assistance, They let themselves go. It was a mistake because they allowed the Raptors come back to life and culminate in the last quarter a very creditable comeback thanks to Poelti, Schroder and the triples of Anunoby and Barnes (96-94 with 6′ left).
Popovich sat down Wembybut he returned him to the court three minutes from the end (102-97). And the Frenchman gave a key assist to Keldon Johnson for him to score an important triple with 1.19 left (108-103). But Toronto was reborn again and tied with a Barnes triple with 37 seconds left (108-108). Then came the error on the Wemby rebound and in extra time, although he tried, he could not prevent the victory of the Raptors (116-123).
2023-11-05 23:39:00
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