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We almost lost to CLE at home....
But, and this is unbelievable, the last possession I seen a screen, a pass, and an easy shot to close the game. I still can't believe it. Was it so hard?
Before hanging up his jersey in the rafters, the Spurs said gracias to Manu Ginobili by squeaking past the lowly Cavaliers. It wasn’t the most emphatic prelude but at least San Antonio avoided a devastating loss, right? The 116-110 victory improves the Spurs to 44-32 and now they are one win away from clinching yet another postseason appearance.
On Thursday night, the Cavs scored the first basket after halftime to extend their lead to 11 points. San Antonio then finished the third quarter by outscoring Cleveland 40-26, giving the good guys a three-point advantage heading into the fourth.
In the final period, it appeared as if the Spurs were going to run away with it when Davis Bertans hit a three-pointer with 9:13 remaining to increase the lead to nine points. However, the Cavs battled back and actually led the game as late as the 3:32 mark at 106-104. Thankfully, key three-pointers by Rudy Gay and Patty Mills down the stretch helped the Spurs eke out the victory.
Gracias, Manu. Oh, and gracias Los Spurs for not tainting the noche with a loss.
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LaMarcus Aldridge
This was a low energy performance by LaMarcus Aldridge. Defensively, he made a couple plays down the stretch but was largely missing in action on that end. Offensively, he was inefficient scoring-wise, didn’t do much passing-wise and was only occasionally physical. Viewing his total of three rebounds and three free throw attempts in 36 minutes helps paint the picture of how passive Aldridge was on this night.
Grade: D+
Summary: Aldridge didn’t play hard enough.
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DeMar DeRozan
It was a tale of two halves for DeMar DeRozan. In the first half, he was practically invisible. In 16 minutes in the first two quarters, DeRozan had four points and one assist. In the second half, he was wonderful: he scored 21 points and handed out seven assists in 19 minutes over the final two periods. For the game, it’s difficult to be too upset with DeRozan considering he had 25 points on 12 shots. That said, the Spurs can’t afford for their main playmaker to be on the side of a milk carton for half the game. Defensively, DeRozan was better than usual but wasn’t overly energetic.
Grade: B+
Summary: DeRozan was really good in the second half.
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Derrick White
Foul trouble derailed Derrick White’s night in the first half. He picked up two fouls five minutes into the first quarter and then picked up his third foul 12 seconds into the second quarter. Though he played more in the second half, White never really provided much of anything. His defense was weak, which really hurt the Spurs because he’s by far the team’s best perimeter player. With White spending a lot of the game trying to avoid fouls and going through the motions, San Antonio predictably struggled on that end. Offensively, he was slow to get the team into their sets and wasn’t doing enough to put pressure on an overmatched Cavs squad. With White’s uneven play as of late, you have to wonder whether he’s either not 100% healthy or whether he’s tired at the end of his first real NBA season.
Grade: D
Summary: White wasn’t helpful.
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Bryn Forbes
Bryn Forbes was one of the liveliest players tonight. He was focused from the start and remained in attack mode. I didn’t love all of his shots but his aggressiveness is what the doctor ordered. Forbes got lucky a few times when he jumped with nowhere to go only to get bailed out by teammates catching difficult passes … but, again, the aggression was appreciated. Defensively, the effort and physicality were there but the results were lacking, as he had trouble staying in front of the quicker Cavaliers players.
Grade: B+
Summary: Forbes sparked the Spurs.
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Jakob Poeltl
The good: He was very active in terms of going for blocked shots. Jakob Poeltl’s protection of the rim was elite and he was also helping out on the perimeter. He did well on the offensive end keeping his head up and being ready for passes. The bad: This was the second straight game Poeltl was weak on the offensive boards. Considering he crashes the offensive glass on most shot attempts, it hurts the transition defense if he isn’t grabbing offensive rebounds often enough to cause the opposition to account for him. It also appears as if Poeltl’s free throw woes have gotten into his head, as he hoisted an air ball at the charity stripe.
Grade: B-
Summary: Poeltl was trying to load up on blocks but could have done more.
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Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay did this evening what he’s done for the last couple weeks. Well, truth be told, tonight he only grabbed eight rebounds (in the last four games, Gay had grabbed exactly nine boards). On offense, he gives the second unit a focal point and someone who can punish mismatches. His perimeter jumper looked smooth and the three he hit late to give the Spurs a three-point lead was momentous. Defensively, his mobility – or lack thereof – limits his value but when he’s rebounding and using his length and physicality, he can provide assistance on that end from time to time.
Grade: B+
Summary: Gay continues to provide value off the bench.
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Marco Belinelli
With his idol getting his jersey retired, Marco Belinelli had a really good game offensively. He even hit a couple left-handed shots in the lane in Ginobili’s honor. Overall on offense, Belinelli was assertive, moved well with and without the ball, and provided quality ball-movement. Defensively, though, he gave back a lot of his good offensive work. He was unfocused in transition, slow to rotate and wasn’t playing good individual defense.
Grade: B+
Summary: Belinelli was great on O, not so much on D.
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Patty Mills
Patty Mills saved his best for last when he canned a three-pointer with 14.5 second remaining in the game that gave the Spurs a four-point lead. Prior to that shot, Mills hadn’t done a whole lot right. He wasn’t bashful about shooting but his accuracy waned. His passing was sloppier than usual and despite good effort on defense, he was a liability on that end. Mills was animated and obviously wanted no part of a loss before the Manu festivities and, to his credit, his big shot helped seal the deal.
Grade: C+
Summary: Mills got to celebrate a key three-pointer down the stretch.
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Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans did well enough. The Cavs are actually an awkward fit for the Latvian as there weren’t a lot of natural matchups for him to go up against. Not surprisingly, his defense suffered a bit. But Bertans was still able to aid the cause in other ways. He drilled three more three-pointers, continued his expanding use of dribble moves, delivered a couple nifty one-handed passes and helped out on the boards.
Grade: B
Summary: Bertans did more good than bad in his 16 minutes.
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Pop
Pop should bottle whatever he said to DeRozan at halftime. His decision to play Mills down the stretch paid dividends. Giving extra minutes to Forbes was also the right move on this night. On the other hand, I didn’t like that Pop dusted off Dante Cunningham and allowed him to play four ineffective first half minutes. With the defense struggling, a few more minutes for Poeltl could have helped.
Grade: B-
Summary: Pop was able to wake the Spurs up just enough to avoid embarrassment.
Looking ahead: By the time the Spurs play the Kings on Sunday in San Antonio, they may have already clinched a playoff berth. If not, a win against Sacramento will do just that.
We almost lost to CLE at home....
But, and this is unbelievable, the last possession I seen a screen, a pass, and an easy shot to close the game. I still can't believe it. Was it so hard?
Exactly!!!
I was opening a beer with like "okay here comes the tunnel vision" but then DD used a screen and made a pass!!
He would've made that exact same pass in the Miami game if he did not fumble the ball in traffic.He was looking right at Mills in the corner in that game as well,before Wade poked the ball out of his hands.
We all know he can't dribble even on a standard play, not to mention closing....
True,that's why he must not in any case bring the ball down court in the clutch when he's gonna get double teamed.
Still,it's obvious Pop was in his ear with the right play.
Provided of course Pop actually sets up a play in motion and not just give him the ball and say "Do whatever you want"
Thanks for the grades as always TIMVP!
Didnt see the game but it sounds like the team was uninspired. Not sure if they thought Cleveland was going to be easy and weren't interested. Bit if they cant beat clevland the playoffs will be a waste of time. Not sure why Popovich is not giving some playtime to Lonnie Walker or pondexter with weak effort/performance by the main guys.
Thanks for the write up TIMVP.
Well he gave Walker 3 mins of game time.
A win is a win but this felt like a moral loss. If the Cavs just happened to be on fire, fine. Dog shines on the sun’s ass once in awhile. Broken clock’s right twice a day. It happens. But the Cavs played the same way they have all season. Not good basketball. Hit some timely threes but otherwise nothing the Spurs should have had trouble with. Glad for the win but man what a lousy win.
Thanks Timvp. I expected a slug fest with Aldridge vs Love but heavily disappointed. Aldridge historically gets up against elite big men but not last night. I’m curious why Pop keep pulling White around 5 minutes left on the 4th. I’ve seen that against Hornets also. Not that it would make a big difference against Kemba, but who knows? And that’s when opponents seemed to make a run the last 2 games. Worst he’d put Patty. I would’ve expected Bertans with his length and could switch on anyone. I’m happy for the win, but that was too close at home against lowly Cavs. It was nice to see Lonnie getting more 1st half look though. I think he’s getting in the mix defensively. And did I see Moore in street clothes? What’s up with that? Are we about to see him play??
Pop B- again. Lol Mugen
Thanks for the grades! It was an exciting night for obvious reasons. Great comments on DDR’s transformation in the second half.....it was a difference maker.
FkLA suddenly instragram baller doesnt seem so useless, eh?
These are the defending Eastern Conference Champions. Getting a win against them is no easy task and speaks volumes of the Spurs playoff chances going forward. We're going to be a tough out, against anybody
Not the biggest Murray fan, but I can't believe dumb asses here thought White was better than him.... Dejounte wasn't giving out career nights on a nightly basis.
Because Instagram Baller didn't have his share of bad games? I'd rather have a 3&D wing over Instagram Baller. White is just better.
Are you ing stupid? Instagram baller had Nephew (before he quit) and Green to guard the opposing team's top perimeter players. He never had the responsibility White has had this year. One night it's Nephew, then Harden, Irving, Kemba, Sexton, etc. Great offense always beats great defense--he's going to get lit up sometimes.
And White gets no respect from the refs. Like in general, nevermind for someone who's an elite defender and a lock for an all-defense nod. So many charges and clean blocks are called as defensive fouls on him. Hopefully once he gets his all-defense nods these re refs put some respect on his name.
patty seemed almost too hyped and LMA seemed the exact opposite of that. i think derozan had a spurs moment where, for perhaps the first time, he had a glimpse of the spurs family and i think his effort in the 2nd half may have been one of those moments where he played like a spur instead of player still connected to his previous team.
or just have both guys on the same team so maybe one can pick up the slack when the other is having a rough game.
Why not use him to fill a position of need instead? It's like saying, nah let's keep Hill for when Enrique inevitably chokes instead of using him to get Nephew.
because its not really an either/or. they can share the floor and switch defensively with ease. you can keep them mostly staggered but play them together for stretches especially when we need to clamp on defense against a team like GSW
I know this will be a really unpopular take - but;
Yay - a win!!!!!
Go Spurs!
No chance White gets All-NBA defensive honors this year imo. It'll go to someone undeserving like usual.
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