TORONTO – The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors 122-99 on Monday night for the first visit of the newest first overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, to the Queen City.
The 7-foot-4 giant had an excellent game, with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks.
“I had to make an extra effort tonight because fewer and fewer players are coming my way,” he said. There is an intimidation factor, I see it on the pitch. »
At 20 years old, Wembanyama is the second youngest player in NBA history to record a 10-block game. The youngest to accomplish this feat was Josh Smith in 2004, when he was just 19 years old.
Wembanyama also had five assists to come close to a rare quadruple. “I had it in the back of my mind, yes, but I was playing for the victory first,” he said.
San Antonio’s Devin Vassell also had a strong game, scoring 25 points.
The Spurs therefore put an end to their series of seven consecutive defeats.
Gradey Dick was the standout player for the home team, with 18 points.
“I feel like the biggest piece of advice the veterans gave me when I got here is that there are going to be ups and downs throughout the season. You have to enjoy the highs, but learn from the lows, Dick said. It’s definitely one of our lows, the way we came out. It’s a learning process. »
The Toronto team has only three victories in their last ten meetings.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said his men didn’t get off to a good start.
“It was a lack of effort, intensity and concentration. From the start of the match, observed Rajakovic. There were way too many turnovers that led to easy points. »
It was the second and final clash between the two teams this season. In November, the Raptors won the first duel by a score of 123 to 116 in overtime. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam were both members of the Toronto team at the time.
The Raptors will host Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin and the Indiana Pacers this Wednesday before the All-Star break. This will be Siakam’s first game against his former team since he was traded in January.
Elsewhere in the NBA
Pacers 102 – Hornets 111
IND: difficult match for Bennedict Mathurin, who missed his four attempted shots. Doubled with 13 points and 12 assists for Tyrese Haliburton.
CHA: Grant Williams led his new team with 21 points.
Nuggets 95 – Bucks 112
DEN: Nikola Jokic narrowly missed the hat-trick with 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
MIL: Giannis Antetokounmpo had a monstrous performance with 36 points and 18 rebounds.
76ers 123 – Cavaliers 121
PHI: Buddy Hield had a strong game with 24 points, eight assists and four rebounds. He made five of his eight three-pointers.
KEY: Cavs’ winning streak ends at nine. Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points.
Bulls 136 – Hawks 126
CHI: Career high 29 points for Ayo Dosunmu.
ATL: doubled with 19 points and 14 assists for Trae Young.
Pelicans 96 – Grizzlies 87
NOP: 17 points, nine rebounds and five steals for Herb Jones.
MEM: Jaren Jackson Jr led the Grizzlies with 22 points.
Knicks 103 – Rockets 105
NYK: Jalen Brunson’s 27 points were not enough for the Knicks.
HOU: big performance of 27 points for Canadian Dillon Brooks, who made six of his seven shots from downtown.
Wizards 104 – Mavericks 112
WAS: 14 points and 16 assists for playmaker Tyus Jones.
DAL: the Mavs dominated the 4th quarter 34 to 16 to escape with the victory. Triplet of 26 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds for Luka Doncic.
Warriors 129 – Jazz 107
GSW: Steh Curry (25) and Klay Thompson (26) combined to score 51 points.
UTA: Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points.
Timberwolves 121 – Clippers 100
MIN: Anthony Edwards was solid with 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
LAC: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both scored 18 points.
2024-02-13 02:55:00
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