Game Thread: Raptors at Spurs - Wednesday, March 8, 2022 | 7:30 PM CT

[John B]

Spurs Injuries: Devin Vassell - Probable (Groin), Lonnie Walker IV - Probable (Illness), Keita Bates-Diop - Doubtful (Back)

Raptors Injuries: Fred VanVleet - Questionable (Knee), Malachi Flynn - Out (Hamstring), David Johnson - Questionable (Knee), OG Ogunoby - Out (Finger)

This is a win anyway you see it. Pop can break the tie and get his All-Time Winningest Coach if Spurs win, or if Spurs loses, they get closer to higher draft and help the Raptors get to the playoffs and we get their pick. Whichever way you see it is a win :lol

[John B]

https://twitter.com/paulgarcianba/status/1501620803837825031?s=21

Updated Spurs injury report for tonight:

Bates-Diop is out
Vassell, Lonnie, and Wieskamp are all available

The Raptors are favored by 2.

If the Spurs win, Coach Pop breaks the all-time regular season wins record

[BatManu20]

Really need to lose this tbh. But the Raptors have sucked lately and I think Masai is going to start tanking soon to ensure they keep their pick.

[slick'81]

Spurs need this W .one xtra L isnt saving that 7th spot

[poopbox]

Literally have a 1st round pick riding on the Raptors making the playoffs so its a no brainer the tank needs to be cleaned up and ready to go tonight

[exstatic]

Spurs need this W .one xtra L isnt saving that 7th spot

It might. We’ve had several ties over our draft history, and you’d hate to see it come down to a coin flip.

[Leetonidas]

Really hope Spurs lose tonite and Friday. I'll be there on Saturday

[Chomag]

Hate to say it but we got to lose this, so of course Pop is going to win it lol

[John B]

Lose>>Win
Higher pick + Rap’s pick >> Pop’s all-time which he gets anytime
Tonight is just two whammies in one stone if Spurs lose it

[mystargtr34]

Hopefully another L for tanking purposes. I read yesterday on a Raptors local news article that coach Nurse said FVV is aiming to return against the Spurs tonight. If FVV plays there’s a strong chance Raptors get the W, if he doesn’t play, the Raptors will struggle to win.

[TD 21]

For one game, I'm willing to set aside the tank because I always want to beat those pricks, especially with a record on the line.

Unfortunately, this sets up as a blowout loss. They're due (in general, but especially from 3), rested, more than likely getting probably their best player back and the Spurs matchup poorly, particularly with Bates-Diop out.

[Leetonidas]

Hopefully another L for tanking purposes. I read yesterday on a Raptors local news article that coach Nurse said FVV is aiming to return against the Spurs tonight. If FVV plays there’s a strong chance Raptors get the W, if he doesn’t play, the Raptors will struggle to win.

If he plays then hopefully the Spurs stomp a hole in their ass tbh. I'm rooting for competitive losses but there's a few teams/players I'd rather see lose and FVV is one of them

[John B]

^ Yeah I hate that smuck FVV also

[emanueldavidginobili]

Primo out tonight smh. Illness, not covid related.

[slick'81]

Just win this one for pop and sit Dejounte the rest of the season

[Robz4000]

:lol Spurs traded basically a first round pick for the privilege of buying out Goran Dragic

[slick'81]

Thaddeus getting his revenge?!

[Dex]

Is that 2 fouls on Poeltl already?

[slick'81]

Lackadaisical start

[Dex]

I miss Spurs defense. We literally just let guys run to the rim now or give up wide open shots and hope they miss.

[slick'81]

That was close

[Robz4000]

McDermott has forgotten how to shoot, his one elite (hell, above-average) NBA skill.

[BatManu20]

Gary Trent Jr. is 19/72 from the floor in the month of March… yikes.

[slick'81]

That was ugly tre

[slick'81]

Aggressive lonnie is back

[Robz4000]

Gary Trent Jr. is 19/72 from the floor in the month of March… yikes.

Sounds like the Spurs at the freethrow line tbh.

[slick'81]

Keldon looking for blood

[heyheymymy]

If the Raps pick doesn't convey I'm going to lose my mind

[slick'81]

Thaddeus over zollins

[slick'81]

J-rich!!

[Dex]

Richardson has kind of a Shawn Marion looking fling to his shot

[John B]

I know Spurs have problems with athletic Guards, but Van Fleet?? :lol

[Robz4000]

:lmao Collins

[emanueldavidginobili]

Doug getting damn near 14 mil a season is asinine.

[Robz4000]

Murray might have a triple double in the first half tbh.

[slick'81]

Here comes the spurs

[Dex]

Is it just me or has Vassell been mostly invisible since getting moved into the starting lineup?

[slick'81]

Is it just me or has Vassell been mostly invisible since getting moved into the starting lineup?


he just had 6 straight double digit games so its probably you

[slick'81]

Lets go lonnie

[slick'81]

Spurs up bitches!

[slick'81]

Clean that up poodle

[slick'81]

Spurs up 3 at the break

[Robz4000]

Murray tbh.

[slick'81]

Murray tbh.

15/10/4/1 at the half

[wildbill2u]

The feed I'm getting to watch the game has the Raptor commentators. They are not only terrible homers, but sound like the worst amateurs you could find by randomly picking up some bozos off the street.

[wildbill2u]

he just had 6 straight double digit games so its probably you

Yeah, but not high double digits and not a great shooting percentage. Not what you want from a starting SG. He's just not a natural shooter/scorer and doesn't have that mentality.

[slick'81]

Jackie mooooon

[TimDunkem]

The feed I'm getting to watch the game has the Raptor commentators. They are not only terrible homers, but sound like the worst amateurs you could find by randomly picking up some bozos off the street.
I feel the same about Bill and Sean these days.

[MultiTroll]

Is it just me or has Vassell been mostly invisible since getting moved into the starting lineup?


he just had 6 straight double digit games so its probably you
:lol Happens often with Dex.

[slick'81]

Yeah, but not high double digits and not a great shooting percentage. Not what you want from a starting SG. He's just not a natural shooter/scorer and doesn't have that mentality.

def some role player vibes

[TimDunkem]

Also - holy shit...Spurs' half-time shows are on the shortlist for the league's worst...

[Thomas82]

They seem motivated to get Pop the record tonight.

[slick'81]

Devin soo smooth

[slick'81]

Fvv doing all star things

[emanueldavidginobili]

If you want to win KBD needs to come back if not this is great.

[slick'81]

Gross af

[SPURt]

Did Birch lose 2 teeth on that?

[Robz4000]

:lmao Jones

[slick'81]

Poor jrich

[slick'81]

Ugly shot tj

[slick'81]

Lol richardson talking shit

[emanueldavidginobili]

Tre is done if he doesn't fix his shot.

[Dex]

Tre Jones feels like Cory Joseph 2.0

[slick'81]

Rock out with ur jock out

[slick'81]

Big body!!!

[slick'81]

Richardson getting heated

[SPURt]

That was fun! Defense to the mean dunk

[slick'81]

Trent finally hits one

[slick'81]

Spurs down 10

[Robz4000]

Welp, without Murray this is over.

[emanueldavidginobili]

I'm really pulling for Keldon, I love his fucking energy. This offseason is going to be huge for him, and telling.

[Dex]

Definitely got the shitty Walker tonight

[slick'81]

Murray back

[slick'81]

Definitely getting chippy out there

[Dex]

Also, we haven't had to complain about these refs much this seasons since who gives a shit....

But these refs suck

[slick'81]

This ones for pop!

[slick'81]

Come on Mcdermoot

[poopbox]

Thad Young revenge game tbh

[Dex]

Looks like we will have to try to break the record against Indiana, because we ain't beating the Jazz.

[slick'81]

Timeout spurs d0wn 11

[poopbox]

That inbounds pass by Poeltl:lol

[SPURt]

Welp, this took a turn to assholeville

[Barfunk]

Nice pass Poeldle

[Robz4000]

Looks like we will have to try to break the record against Indiana, because we ain't beating the Jazz.

They're not beating Indy either tbh. Should beat the Pelicans though.

[slick'81]

They're not beating Indy either tbh. Should beat the Pelicans though.

or rockets or blazers okc,tbh

[SPURt]

Walker, McBuckets, and Vassell shooting like butt, the tank is strong with this one

[slick'81]

Pop is dmbfounded

[slick'81]

Tre jones scared to shoot

[Robz4000]

Would be nice to see Pop call out the officiating one of these days...

[slick'81]

Spurs reverting to their shooting form

[Dex]

Does McD even understand the shot clock exists?

[poopbox]

Tre jones scared to shoot

Yeah thought he would be the answer for backup pg but now not so sure. Dude passes up open 3s all the time

[slick'81]

Thaddeus with the dagger

[TimDunkem]

Does McD even understand the shot clock exists?
He's a slightly better, and much more overpaid Belinelli

[Dex]

Yeah thought he would be the answer for backup pg but now not so sure. Dude passes up open 3s all the time

Because he can't shoot them. Dude is shooting 12.5% from three....he's not going to have a long career if he can't figure that out.

[Dejounte]

Tre is a major liability out there

its also time to replace Vassell as a starter

[slick'81]

Thad young out there playing like its the finals:lol

[TimDunkem]

lol At anyone who just assumed Tre Jones would be the "answer" to anything. What does he even do well? Even CoJo was great defender when he came into the league.

[slick'81]

lol At anyone who just assumed Tre Jones would be the "answer" to anything. What does he even do well? Even CoJo was great defender when he came into the league.

he can fake that three drive and pass,tbh:lol

[TimDunkem]

he can fake that three drive and pass,tbh:lol
Right, that and he gives great high-fives! :lol

[Dex]

Good game for the tank, keep it rolling boys

[Robz4000]

Tank rolls on :flag:

[slick'81]

We needed tor to get this W . They are literally playing for their playoff lives

[BackHome]

Flakers in OT with Houston with 3 minutes to go............

[slick'81]

Hopefully another loss upcoming vs jazz. Then its the battle of tanking teams on the schedule

[TimDunkem]

Poop after the game: "What record?" "I don't think about that stuff"
https://i.redd.it/jebc5rsxlpw31.jpg
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https://imgur.com/gallery/dTcAHZc
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[BackHome]

Knicks pretty much got there game won moving to 28 wins which is good and the Blazers like I said I honestly don't think they will win one more game

[td4mvp2k]

just trash

[slick'81]

Zollins trash time

[PhantomDashCam]

Damn this is some sh*tty basketball atm. Wide open 3s, uncontested boards, missed defensive assignments…

[TimDunkem]

What is this "offense"? :lol

[Dex]

he just had 6 straight double digit games so its probably you

He's averaged 32 mins in those games and put up like 14 points per on 40% shooting.

But yeah..."double digits", okay cool. :rolleyes

And no, I'm not impressed by his 5 points on 2/8 shooting tonight.

Those are not the numbers we need from a starter.

[poopbox]

Tre is a major liability out there

its also time to replace Vassell as a starter

With who :lol

[LeBowen]

Every L is a good L.

[slick'81]

He's averaged 32 mins in those games and put up like 14 points per on 40% shooting.

But yeah..."double digits", okay cool. :rolleyes

And no, I'm not impressed by his 5 points on 2/8 shooting tonight.

Those are not the numbers we need from a starter.

like I said def role player vibes. Not overly impressive but not invisible either

[emanueldavidginobili]

1501767578829692929

[T Park]

I am too becoming less and less impressed with Devin Vassell

[Dex]

On the plus side....the :lol Lakers :lol played LeBron 45 minutes tonight with a sore knee and still lost to the freaking Rockets...so we got that going for us.

[slick'81]

On the plus side....the :lol Lakers :lol played LeBron 45 minutes tonight with a sore knee and still lost to the freaking Rockets...so we got that going for us.


as long as they dont pass us in the lottery standings

[Mr. Body]

Fun: if the Lakers miss the playoffs, Memphis gets their lottery pick.

[T Park]

Fun: if the Lakers miss the playoffs, Memphis gets their lottery pick.

Just what they need, another lottery pick

[XDT76]

Fun: if the Lakers miss the playoffs, Memphis gets their lottery pick.

Not exactly only pick 1 to 10.

[buttsR4rebounding]

He's averaged 32 mins in those games and put up like 14 points per on 40% shooting.

But yeah..."double digits", okay cool. :rolleyes

And no, I'm not impressed by his 5 points on 2/8 shooting tonight.

Those are not the numbers we need from a starter.

Haliburton.

[Atl Spur]

Good loss

[GAustex]

Spurs get bullied by a more physical team

[spurs1990]

Any Spurs loss is always cancelled out by a humiliating James/Lakers loss. Even in the pre-Derozan winning era 4 years ago

[offset formation]

With who :lol

[timtonymanu]

lol At anyone who just assumed Tre Jones would be the "answer" to anything. What does he even do well? Even CoJo was great defender when he came into the league.

It’s how desperate we are for talent now.

[timtonymanu]

On the plus side....the :lol Lakers :lol played LeBron 45 minutes tonight with a sore knee and still lost to the freaking Rockets...so we got that going for us.

Hilarious how the lakers are just as bad as our current spurs team

[heyheymymy]

Desperately needed to help TOR with a W since we want their pick to convey and TOR has been losing games like they don't want that pick to convey lol

Pop said it himself "played well until the 3rd" Spurs tossed this game on purpose. Was wondering before the game how we were going to outtank TOR tonight because we really needed to lose this game but TOR has been pretty dismal themselves lately.

[John B]

^The guys have been playing good all 3 quarters just to lose on the 4th… hmmm :stirpot::stirpot::stirpot: Tank for Chet! :lol

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

^The guys have been playing good all 3 quarters just to lose on the 4th… hmmm :stirpot::stirpot::stirpot: Tank for Chet! :lol

Stars win games in the fourth qtr. We really don’t have any, although DJM is becoming one. The big three put the hammer down late in games for years. Now we’re getting to witness what the Spurs did to other teams for so long.

Also, this team is too darn small. Teams with height 2 through 5 are toying with us. Toronto & Cleveland are two examples of teams that are bad matchups for us.

[Rocalcio]

Really need to lose this tbh. But the Raptors have sucked lately and I think Masai is going to start tanking soon to ensure they keep their pick.

He’d rather go in Playoff instead of securing an unsure first pick.

[Rocalcio]

He's averaged 32 mins in those games and put up like 14 points per on 40% shooting.

But yeah..."double digits", okay cool. :rolleyes

And no, I'm not impressed by his 5 points on 2/8 shooting tonight.

Those are not the numbers we need from a starter.

That’s just his second season, give him some time.

[CGD]

I am too becoming less and less impressed with Devin Vassell

Season 3 will be crucial for him. Seems like that’s when it clicks (or not) for our young guys.

[John B]

I am too becoming less and less impressed with Devin Vassell

I think Devin was probable last night with groin injury. I wonder if that’s bothering him. He was a little flat footed out there.

But yeah Spurs lack of size in the PF was again telling last night.

[wildbill2u]

Yeah thought he would be the answer for backup pg but now not so sure. Dude passes up open 3s all the time

I think there is a reason for that. He can't make them. We've taken enough of a look at Jones to know he isn't the guy for our backup PG/ Get rid of him after the season???

[offset formation]

Desperately needed to help TOR with a W since we want their pick to convey and TOR has been losing games like they don't want that pick to convey lol

Pop said it himself "played well until the 3rd" Spurs tossed this game on purpose. Was wondering before the game how we were going to outtank TOR tonight because we really needed to lose this game but TOR has been pretty dismal themselves lately.

It doesn't matter if they don't win their play-in game whether they're 7th, 8th, 9th, or tenth,as I understand it.

[KingKev]

It doesn't matter if they don't win their play-in game whether they're 7th, 8th, 9th, or tenth,as I understand it.

If they miss the playoffs the pick does not convey.

[CGD]

It doesn't matter if they don't win their play-in game whether they're 7th, 8th, 9th, or tenth,as I understand it.

This is my understanding too. On a separate thread Timvp/others noted the draft position v playoff seeding distinction.

Basically they need to land in the Top 8. So if they’re 9th and make the playoffs, or if they’re 7th and fall out do the playoffs — it doesn’t really matter.

It makes sense if you think about it: nba probably wants to avoid the absurd outcome of a 7th seed all the sudden having a chance to get lotto pingpong balls and move into the top 10 picks, all because they had one bad game or had an unexpected injury.

[boutons_deux]

Stars win games in the fourth qtr. We really don’t have any, although DJM is becoming one. The big three put the hammer down late in games for years. Now we’re getting to witness what the Spurs did to other teams for so long.

Also, this team is too darn small. Teams with height 2 through 5 are toying with us. Toronto & Cleveland are two examples of teams that are bad matchups for us.


in the Golden Age Spurs in the 4th quarter made their shots made their plays, playEd defense to win the game especially in crunch time

I'm certainly not the only one who loaded so many many times the Spurs were mediocre for 3/4 quarters no spacing against the other team and then in the 4th quarter they turned it on to win

[Seventyniner]

This is my understanding too. On a separate thread Timvp/others noted the draft position v playoff seeding distinction.

Basically they need to land in the Top 8. So if they’re 9th and make the playoffs, or if they’re 7th and fall out do the playoffs — it doesn’t really matter.

It makes sense if you think about it: nba probably wants to avoid the absurd outcome of a 7th seed all the sudden having a chance to get lotto pingpong balls and move into the top 10 picks, all because they had one bad game or had an unexpected injury.

I thought every team that missed the playoffs was in the lottery, even a 7th seed that lost two play-in games.

That team would almost certainly be in the #13 or #14 slot though, which gives a 4.8% (#13) or 2.4% (#14) chance of jumping into the top 4 and a 1.0% (#13) or 0.5% (#14) chance at the #1 pick.

[wildbill2u]

in the Golden Age Spurs in the 4th quarter made their shots made their plays, playEd defense to win the game especially in crunch time

I'm certainly not the only one who loaded so many many times the Spurs were mediocre for 3/4 quarters no spacing against the other team and then in the 4th quarter they turned it on to win

In the 4th quarter the ball would be in Manu's hands. He was a superb playmaker and passer, had every shot in the books and wasn't afraid to take a big shot, and he was great at the foul line so the opponent couldn't just foul him and hope he'd miss. DJ isn't quite there yet despite his glossy triple double reputation.

Not to mention he has no one else that can help out with reliable play and shooting if he needs to pass the ball. Who are you going to as a second option if they double-team him?

[Portnoy1000]

Who are you going to as a second option if they double-team him?[/QUOTE]
You can go to Jakob po....,.Devin Va....Dougy Mcb.....Keldon Joh..........I see your point :(

[TD 21]

I am too becoming less and less impressed with Devin Vassell

So am I. I'm not "giving up on" him or saying he won't be a solid player, but he's looking more like Richardson than prime Green.

That would have been fine if they didn't pass up on Haliburton and Maxey, which was only reasonable at the time because most presumed they wouldn't trade White.

[C-Dub]

Maxey nor Haliburton would be whom they are at this stage of their NBA career if playing for Pop. If Vassell was in their current state in the NBA, he would most likely have freedom to showcase his talents and not get benched for mistakes on the court as often. It's the Pop way of handling things.

[poopbox]

I think there is a reason for that. He can't make them. We've taken enough of a look at Jones to know he isn't the guy for our backup PG/ Get rid of him after the season???

I wouldn't be opposed to moving on from him. Guards who are both terrible at shooting 3's while also refusing to shoot them don't last long in the nba. Nothing else he does is good enough to overcome his inability to shoot and make open 3s.

How doe the spurs constantly end up with these guards who won't shoot the ball :rollin