“Playing against Kevin Durant and Devin Booker? It allows you to see more closely what excellence represents,” summarized Spurs interior Zach Collins before the match. Good last in the Western Conference (15 wins, 56 losses), San Antonio had a good idea of what still separates it from the best level in the NBA, Saturday evening at the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs were quickly extinguished by a Phoenix team led by its leader Devin Booker, top scorer of the match with 32 points.
The Suns very skillful near the circle
Seventh in the standings in the West before the match, one place away from direct qualification for the play-offs at the end of the season, the Suns absolutely had to win in San Antonio. They didn’t give details, quickly taking a 10-point lead, then 18 before half-time thanks to a formidable shooting skill in the second quarter (76% at 16/21).
The Suns’ front court did a remarkable job of drawing Victor Wembanyama under the circle on defense, regularly freeing Devin Booker and Kevin Durant for open shots around him (28 points scored between them in the paint). The first compiled 32 points and 9 assists in the match, the second added 25 units. Bradley Beal also finished with a double-double (13 points, 12 assists).
Wembanyama only played 21 minutes
Engaged in a second match in two days after the defeat against Memphis on Friday (99-97), the Spurs seemed completely beside the point, like a three-point address at half-mast (27.3%). ).
Victor Wembanyama was efficient in shooting (13 points at 5/7) but lost too many balls on dribbling attempts and missed passes (5). His coach Gregg Popovich finally released him five minutes from the end of the third quarter when the Suns had already secured the victory (score 86-58). The Phoenix substitutes finished the job for a clear and flawless final victory (131-106).
“My players did what they could. We were a little more aggressive in the second half, but you can’t stop KD (Kevin Durant) and Book’ (Devin Booker) from doing what they know how to do,” summarized “Pop” after the match. Victor Wembanyama did not appear at the press conference.
The Spurs will have a chance to make up for it by welcoming the Suns back to San Antonio this Monday.
2024-03-24 06:01:35
#NBA #Booker #Suns #slap #Wembanyamas #Spurs
