The San Antonio Spurs Break Their Losing Streak by Beating the Los Angeles Lakers

Finally, the end. This morning in Spain, the San Antonio Spurs put an end to the longest negative streak in their history after beating the Los Angeles Lakers (129-115), who arrived in Texas as brand new champions of the ‘In-Season Tournament’, but with a string of casualties: the main one, that of Anthony Davis (left calf). Also missing were the defensive muscle of Cam Reddish (knee) and the impulsive D’Angelo Russell (migraine). It was the third game in four nights for the Los Angeles franchise.

The Spurs, as we were going, came into the duel in their worst moment ever, with 18 consecutive defeats despite having Victor Wembanyama, a player called to be generational, to change the rules of basketball so that it would adapt to a extraterrestrial of 224 centimeters in height and 244 in wingspan, and an impossible ability to dribble and throw from any position on the field. Well, despite all that, Gregg Popovich’s team did not stop accumulating defeats. One by one until a total of 18. They had not won since last November 2 when they defeated the Phoenix Suns in a frantic match. Since that day, the most absolute nothingness.

But that new day arrived. That little light that comes through the window and makes you happy after a long winter night. “This is what I’m addicted to, this is what I love,” said Wembanyama after a victory that was consolidated in an excellent start to the last quarter, when the Spurs came to dominate by 20 points (116-96, min. 43 ). The Frenchman showed a repertoire of skills with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. It is the fourth time that a rookie ‘spur’ finishes a game with at least 10 points, 15 sacks and 5 baskets. David Robinson did it a couple of times and Tim Duncan did it once.

“For me it’s like a playoff game. We love this feeling. We have to work hard to repeat it,” continued the Frenchman, who despite his performance was not the best of the Texans. That honor fell to Devin Vassell: 36 points on 5 of 10 from three-point range. Good presence of Cedi Osman, who closed with 15 points and San Antonio with a +13 with him on the court. He knew how to break down the Los Angeles defense well at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The Lakers were always in tow. They started badly, really badly, receiving a partial lead in the first quarter of 42-22. They reacted in the second period, but it was already a lot of burden on them because they were at the mercy of any push from the Spurs that would take them back to their starting point. LeBron tried. He read the movements of his teammates well and made 14 assists, which could have increased much more if someone had been right from the perimeter: 11 of 36 from three for the Lakers (2 from James). The King also scored 23 points.

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2023-12-16 04:59:47
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