Game Thread: Spurs @ Blazers — WED. 3/23/2022 — 9:00pm CST

[BatManu20]

Spurs winning steak will extend to 3 games tonight as we pummel Drew Eubanks and the hard-tanking Portland TrailBlazers in a battle for the 7th spot in the NBA Draft Lottery.


1506652404363800582

[John B]

Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) Tweeted:
Spurs and Blazers injuries for tonight’s matchup:


OUT w/ injury
Spurs
Langford
McDermott
Lonnie


OUT w/ Austin
Cacok
Stewart
Woodard II


Probable - Bates-Diop


POR
OUT
Bledsoe
Hart
Ingles
Dame
Little
Didi
Nurkic
Simons


Probable
Brown III

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1506599922887450635?s=20&t=vzRcXKb2My3VO2Ghx_L85g

I really wish the Spurs lose this game and get behind the Blazers in the standing. The difference on 7th and 8th pick chances on the top 4 is really considerable.

Any other sports, the commissioner would investigate on deliberately throwing the game. They should start investigating and severely penalizing these teams, imo.

[emanueldavidginobili]

The tank is real god damn. Hart is out now he was averaging 29-6-5 over their last 5 games, they really don't have anyone playing now. Drew has been playing like 30 MPG over there lmao.

[slick'81]

Spurs will continue their assent out of the lottery

[Mr. Body]

The idea of 'catching' Portland is gone. They're desperate to pair some talent with Lillard. The real concern for the Spurs faithful is dropping even further in the lottery.

[lefty]

Blazers have 1 player available lmao

[Thomas82]

This game will come down to who want it less. It looks like the Blazers want it less.

[Larry O]

Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) Tweeted:
Spurs and Blazers injuries for tonight’s matchup:


OUT w/ injury
Spurs
Langford
McDermott
Lonnie


OUT w/ Austin
Cacok
Stewart
Woodard II


Probable - Bates-Diop


POR
OUT
Bledsoe
Hart
Ingles
Dame
Little
Didi
Nurkic
Simons


Probable
Brown III

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1506599922887450635?s=20&t=vzRcXKb2My3VO2Ghx_L85g

I really wish the Spurs lose this game and get behind the Blazers in the standing. The difference on 7th and 8th pick chances on the top 4 is really considerable.

Any other sports, the commissioner would investigate on deliberately throwing the game. They should start investigating and severely penalizing these teams, imo.

LMAO! Who is available for the Blazers team to play tonight?! :0 If the Spurs lose this one... Here comes da Commish, here comes da Commish!

[slick'81]

The question is can spurs lose any of the three vs por

[heyheymymy]

:flag:

[heyheymymy]

Wish Langford was healthy

[TD 21]

This shameless tanking is probably more likely to hurt ('21 Thunder) than help ('21 Raptors) the Trail Blazers.

From a league perspective, there's the aging, agitated borderline superstar in a small market that's used to winning angle, but wherever it lands, plus the Pelicans pick likely conveying, are more likely to be used for immediate help and should be more than enough to get the type they're apparently seeking (Grant) anyway.



The question is can spurs lose any of the three vs por

The Spurs of the past half decade absolutely would have found a way to lose one, but now that anyone with any sense wants them to, I'm sure they'll sweep them.

[RC_Drunkford]

Most important L of the season, but with this type of tank job by Portland we‘ll probably win

[Robz4000]

Most important L of the season, but with this type of tank job by Portland we‘ll probably win

Most important L of the season was the game against the Pels last week where they laid down and died in the first quarter. They won't be making the play-in now.

[John B]

LMAO! Who is available for the Blazers team to play tonight?! :0 If the Spurs lose this one... Here comes da Commish, here comes da Commish!

Really the commissioner should start investigating blatant tanking. That’s nothing different from purposely throwing the game.

[Dverde]

Blazers actually know the situation and lose these games.

[cd98]

Taking out lottery teams that were not eligible for the number one pick back in 1997, the Spurs had the second worst record. Boston had the first. We tanked well back then. Now, for some reason Pop is intent on getting to the latter half of the draft. They will not out tank the Blazers, who will not play a legit starter for the rest of the season.

[exstatic]

LOL. OKC Tanked hard tonight, with like 8 guys out, including all starters. One guy was listed as questionable, cut mid flight.

They’re up 19 on Orlandoin the 4th.

[poopbox]

Spurs getting shit on by Drew Eubanks :lmao

[paperboy77]

Spurs are stoooopid if they win this game. Portland certainly has the right line up out there.

[exstatic]

Spurs getting shit on by Drew Eubanks :lmao

GOOD. Keep it up Drew. Improve our pick.

[Thomas82]

I knew that Portland lead was short-lived.

[BatManu20]

Spurs quick 13-1 run lol. And Portland won’t see another lead.

[Thomas82]

Spurs are stoooopid if they win this game. Portland certainly has the right line up out there.

They were stupid for winning the last 2 games.

[bdictjames]

Going for the Spurs win, lol.

Keldon Johnson still with a more mechanical shot than what I like.. hopefully he improves on that during the offseason. Shot is looking like a combination of Amare's as well as Horry.

[poopbox]

Dejounte did a bunch of nothing out there

[BatManu20]

Devin “Steph Curry” Vassell can’t miss from 3.

[BatManu20]

Spurs on a 25-2 run :lol

[couchman]

It almost looks like this game is already over. Portland running a G league lineup out there

[cd98]

Portland is incredibly good at tanking. This is a lesson in what every team should be doing to get into the best lotter position when it is clear they are not playoff material.

[bdictjames]

Haven't watched a whole lot of Spurs games this year, but this new commentator doesn't seem to vibe well with Sean. Don't know if he's a big Spurs/basketball fan, or just a stats guy. I miss Bill Land, lol. Let's get Matt Bonner out there as well!

[cd98]

DJM should be on the shelf with a "sore knee" for the rest of the season.

[Robz4000]

Murray's three is looking good

[SPURt]

Murray going straight nuclear

[poopbox]

Dejounte with 3 straight and 1 mixtape 3's :wow

[Seventyniner]

Fuck it, if you're gonna try and win and they're gonna tank this hard, put up 200 on those fuckers. Show no mercy.

[TDomination]

Now that I like seeing

Very nice murray!!

[lefty20]

Damn Murray :wow

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If DJ can add a bit of that off the dribble 3 next year it'll open his driving lanes more.

[SPURt]

This an insanely bad Portland team. Spurs playing them another two times in the next to weeks isn’t gonna help their draft position

[Rito3d30]

the tank is over
very likely will get into the playin smh

[poopbox]

Portland is incredibly good at tanking. This is a lesson in what every team should be doing to get into the best lotter position when it is clear they are not playoff material.

I'm not really sure what tanking is getting them. No player in this draft is going to come in and help Dame in his rookie year. I guess they get a guy to be their new franchise guy when Dame inevitably ask for a trade.

Tanking doesn't really seem to work for teams who already have a franchise guy. GS tanked and ended up with Wiseman who probably won't end up playing 200 games in GS.

[heyheymymy]

lol JRich just did a flying Bowen into some fan

[BackHome]

Portland is incredibly good at tanking. This is a lesson in what every team should be doing to get into the best lotter position when it is clear they are not playoff material.

Spurs need to watch this game after and learn from it so hopefully next year we get a top 4 pick

[BackHome]

I'm not really sure what tanking is getting them. No player in this draft is going to come in and help Dame in his rookie year. I guess they get a guy to be their new franchise guy when Dame inevitably ask for a trade.

Tanking doesn't really seem to work for teams who already have a franchise guy. GS tanked and ended up with Wiseman who probably won't end up playing 200 games in GS.

They can trade that pick and if it's a top 4 pick I am sure they will get a much better player then if they drafted 9 or 10

[Degoat]

I think they just said that’s the most 3s the spurs have made in a half In team history lol

[paperboy77]

Going for the Spurs win, lol.

Keldon Johnson still with a more mechanical shot than what I like.. hopefully he improves on that during the offseason. Shot is looking like a combination of Amare's as well as Horry.

When will defenses wake up about 3pt shooters? Most anticipate it will be a flyby only. Gotta challenge that shit dude. Yeah take a foul but you'll win the mind game. Shooters ain't worried about shit these days. (3pt shooters to be exact.)

[poopbox]

They can trade that pick and if it's a top 4 pick I am sure they will get a much better player then if they drafted 9 or 10

True but I do not think they are going to get the caliber of player they need if they draft that pick. They need a legit star player to put next to Dame. What team with a star is trading that for a number 3 or 4 pick?

[SPURt]

Murray having the best half of his career, this is a fun team to watch against the Blazers.

[cd98]

I can't even take this game seriously. It's like, wow the Spurs look awesome, but they are playing a team that isn't trying. I see more effort in the all-star game.

[tim_duncan_fan]

I swear I'm not racist, but the dancers that just came out for halftime are whiter than most baby powder.

[Strategic]

Looks like Portland using a mid season tryout squad. Pathetic

[Mr. Body]

I swear I'm not racist, but the dancers that just came out for halftime are whiter than most baby powder.

I mean, it's Portland. It used to be illegal to be black in Oregon.

[wildbill2u]

Drew Ewbanks having a very good game against the Spurs and has been playing well for Blazers since the trade.

[Seventyniner]

Give the Portland fans credit for showing up. The place looks surprisingly full all things considered.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Drew Ewbanks having a very good game against the Spurs and has been playing well for Blazers since the trade.

Yeah, very happy for him. He's playing for his NBA future. Hopefully he gets a contract in the summer.

[Mr. Body]

Give the Portland fans credit for showing up. The place looks surprisingly full all things considered.

I can't imagine paying for this performance.

[spurs1990]

Not gonna dignify even turning on this stupid game but if justice is served San Antonio will get a lottery pick ahead of these tanking mofos

[Mr. Body]

Not gonna dignify even turning on this stupid game but if justice is served San Antonio will get a lottery pick ahead of these tanking mofos

I think the Blazers have two lottery picks this year. They'll probably wind up with two top 4 picks. :lol

[tim_duncan_fan]

I mean, it's Portland. It used to be illegal to be black in Oregon.

Lmfao

[The Truth #6]

I want the Spurs to lose more games but how do you compete, so to speak, with Portland? The current system and incentives create such an embarrassing spectacle.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Well shit happens fellas. Sometimes the other team comes out there with its eye on the prize and just plain Wants it more. Then *bam* the game's over before it's ever really started.

Just gotta pick your heads up, burn the tape and get back on the L train at the next station.

:lma :lma

[Robz4000]

:lol this season is shaping up exactly as I thought it would. Spurs would hang around the bottom of the west most of the season only for teams in front of them with more talent to start blatantly tanking after the all star break resulting in the Spurs finishing 11th and fucking their draft spot up.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

We can’t even tank properly. :bang :pctoss

[John B]

What was that between Eubanks and Jock at the end of the game? It seems like Eubanks has a beef with Landale maybe for taking his spot? :lol

[duncan2k5]

What was that between Eubanks and Jock at the end of the game? It seems like Eubanks has a beef with Landale maybe for taking his spot? :lol

What happened?

[offset formation]

Most important L of the season was the game against the Pels last week where they laid down and died in the first quarter. They won't be making the play-in now.

Yup. Down 25 pts. In the first quarter. At home. To a team 1/2 game ahead of you is the definition of laying down and dying.

[John B]

What happened?

They had some exchanges at the last play. Eubanks, at the Blazers’ bench, seemed to be taunting Jock, as the guys try to pull Jock back after the game. Zollins telling Jock to just ignore while Jock was telling what happened. Finally Eubanks explaining himself to Dejounte his version when they greeted. I don’t know. Seems like there’s taunting going on between the two. :lol I don’t know if anybody else saw that. Maybe Eubanks was telling Jock, “you can’t guard me.”? :lol

[SAGirl]

Glad to see the team shoot well at least.

I am going to forget about the hope for a top 4 pick.

Murray is gunning for MIP (as he should considering the season he’s had) evident by his playing 30 minutes in a blowout - he got to pad those stats.

Spurs need to look to trades to pair someone up with him and maybe that’s their plan.

[KingKev]

Haven't watched a whole lot of Spurs games this year, but this new commentator doesn't seem to vibe well with Sean. Don't know if he's a big Spurs/basketball fan, or just a stats guy. I miss Bill Land, lol. Let's get Matt Bonner out there as well!

Yeah he needs some work for sure.

[KingKev]

I swear I'm not racist, but the dancers that just came out for halftime are whiter than most baby powder.

Didn’t watch the game; were they atleast chicks? Lol

[John B]

Glad to see the team shoot well at least.

I am going to forget about the hope for a top 4 pick.

Murray is gunning for MIP (as he should considering the season he’s had) evident by his playing 30 minutes in a blowout - he got to pad those stats.

Spurs need to look to trades to pair someone up with him and maybe that’s their plan.

I’m not sure if Vassell starting is taking away all his rebounds though. It would help if he can put in more triple-doubles

[SAGirl]

I’m not sure if Vassell starting is taking away all his rebounds though. It would help if he can put in more triple-doubles
I think his body of work for the season is already impressive. In this game for example, his efficiency was outstanding, the kind of 3 pt shots he took and made. Morant has had a terrific season and the Grizzlies have improved a ton as a team, so he's basically the favorite but Dejounte has made a good case and it would be better if he gets the team in the play in/playoffs. A few rebounds less isn't as impressive as if he managed that feat. At least that is what is on my mind right now.

Spurs are going all out trying to make that play in, and the teams they play in the play in game aren't that impressive. The team has flaws, particularly the bottom of the team is one of the weakest in the NBA. They need some talent and I am not sure it will all come from the draft. One thing that has been on my mind for a few days, is that I can't see the Spurs adding 3 teenagers in this draft (or however many) and nothing else while keeping a 26 year old DJ in the team next year playing at an all star level. DJ has made the case for building around him, and perhaps the Spurs will focus on that if they make a run in the play in. Teams that are serious about the playoffs start to consider not just the draft, but more specifically veterans in other teams. This is just thinking out loud writing here. We'll see.

[emanueldavidginobili]

1506850696611696642

[John B]

I think his body of work for the season is already impressive. In this game for example, his efficiency was outstanding, the kind of 3 pt shots he took and made. Morant has had a terrific season and the Grizzlies have improved a ton as a team, so he's basically the favorite but Dejounte has made a good case and it would be better if he gets the team in the play in/playoffs. A few rebounds less isn't as impressive as if he managed that feat. At least that is what is on my mind right now.

Spurs are going all out trying to make that play in, and the teams they play in the play in game aren't that impressive. The team has flaws, particularly the bottom of the team is one of the weakest in the NBA. They need some talent and I am not sure it will all come from the draft. One thing that has been on my mind for a few days, is that I can't see the Spurs adding 3 teenagers in this draft (or however many) and nothing else while keeping a 26 year old DJ in the team next year playing at an all star level. DJ has made the case for building around him, and perhaps the Spurs will focus on that if they make a run in the play in. Teams that are serious about the playoffs start to consider not just the draft, but more specifically veterans in other teams. This is just thinking out loud writing here. We'll see.

Sean made a good point the other night (or his co-anchor). Ja at #2 is expected to be good and should have less case at MIP than Murray at #29. Murray has effectively took over the helm from Demar with an AS production, even averaging almost triple-double. He relish to be the head of the snake and really bought in on that leadership role.

But this play on the MIP is really messing Spurs chances on improving in the draft.

[MultiTroll]

I swear I'm not racist, but the dancers that just came out for halftime are whiter than most baby powder.
Here's a black dancer...oh errr wait a minute.
https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272965057_5095240320508230_1696973713650266297_n.j pg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=LRH1P_z-QsYAX9f59aB&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&edm=AKK4YLsEAAAA&oh=00_AT8mmolIh5TKatpH6LOLWVXbVSkfjfres-bXrX07hWB42A&oe=623CDDCA

[MultiTroll]

Pop sure showed the Blazers with this win.

[MultiTroll]

I swear I'm not racist, but the dancers that just came out for halftime are whiter than most baby powder.
3 out of 12 here with color.
Not bad. Not counting the homo.
https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/269906664_4925053494193581_628625410226290688_n.jp g?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=9e2e56&_nc_ohc=VN8FubBES9kAX9bItf5&_nc_oc=AQmDWum9gR27lZlYRn6I9YM_KnLWSIVpbE2xo__BmzF AXzx7uqEmjH3QmXtZ2zhW8Jc&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=AKK4YLsEAAAA&oh=00_AT-6CzO9P7WclxFXpcgQ8nuWKN-LvSkXfJ0yDGUBRgGJjw&oe=62405241

[MultiTroll]

Hope they didn't run the few color girls off. This appears to be a newer pic.
Only 1 and 1/2 out of 17. I'm giving the far left one a 1/2.
https://publish.nba.com/blazers/sites/blazers/files/19blazersdancersgroup_v4.jpg

[Ocotillo]

They need some talent and I am not sure it will all come from the draft. One thing that has been on my mind for a few days, is that I can't see the Spurs adding 3 teenagers in this draft (or however many) and nothing else while keeping a 26 year old DJ in the team next year playing at an all star level. DJ has made the case for building around him, and perhaps the Spurs will focus on that if they make a run in the play in. Teams that are serious about the playoffs start to consider not just the draft, but more specifically veterans in other teams. This is just thinking out loud writing here. We'll see.

I have been thinking this too. Some in here said Derrick White had aged out of the Spurs plans and is why he was shipped out. Since the team is not drafting in the top 4 or 5 like ever, they have relied on picking talent and developing it, which takes time. Over time, as some guys come into their own, the other younger players hold them back in some respect because they are not where they need to be yet.

Anyway, I have long contended you need a mix of age and 3 first round picks and a second rounder brought in to this roster makes for a too young team with Richardson (if he sticks) and Murray in their prime. Lakers are showing you can't be too old either.

Lot of words, but I see them shipping out a couple of guys and maybe some picks as well and not bringing in 4 new draftees.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Didn’t watch the game; were they atleast chicks? Lol

I think so...? lol

They were ghost-white naturally and then they had on too much makeup that made it worse and then the lights hit a certain way. It was some sort of dance company, like that type that you join after ballerina school or whatever.