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Re: SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 14: SPURS AT CLIPPERS, 16-11-2021, 9:30PM (CT)

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 5:34 am
by G R E Y
Doug's floater is flat, too.

Re: SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 14: SPURS AT CLIPPERS, 16-11-2021, 9:30PM (CT)

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 5:35 am
by G R E Y
DOUG 3! Has to feel good.

Re: SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 14: SPURS AT CLIPPERS, 16-11-2021, 9:30PM (CT)

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:36 am
by G R E Y
4TH Q: SPURS 92

CLIPPERS 106

Even with Jakob out, we put forth a very good defensive effort for mostly throughout the game. We couldn't stop PG fully but we did put different bodies on him and doubled him to at least make it more difficult and prevent drives.

We lost the rebound battle as we were the smaller team and it their second chance points put a dent into our solid defensive plays. But we also had more assists (26-16), steals (11-9), fewer TOs (16-21, and a 24-17 points advantage from them), 23-10 fast break points for us as well as 56-40 points in the paint. The latter was surprising because it felt, especially earlier, that we kept turning it over but this ended up clicking for us. That and we just exchanged 2s for 3s since our PITP did not generate a lot of FT chances.

We even had a noticeable FGA advantage 95-84, but it was the shot distribution and the drives for fouls that did us in. Forty-five percent of their shots were from 3 whereas 22% of our shots were from beyond the arc. Couple that with us only making five 3s to their 12 and that alone is a huge advantage, but with their 20-22FTs to our 5-7FTs - SEVEN! and well, sometimes it's not more complicated than that.

We had one 30+ point Q and the rest were hovering around the 20-point mark from ongoing scoring struggles. The counterbalance is that we held them to one 30+ point Q and the rest in the mid-20s.

Not sure why Keldon couldn't do earlier what he did late in the game in terms of driving with physicality - only two of his attempts were at the rim in the restricted area. He didn't get enough shot chances, so with Drew and Doug struggling on O, it wasn't enough help for DJ who had a record half and Derrick who looked more compact, crisp, quick, and assertive for 8-14 and 19 points. Finally. Only 1-4 from 3, but our back court combined for 45 points, 12 assists, 15 rebounds, and 4 steals.

That DJ led us with 2 O boards show the kind of miserable night we had there.

Doug's shot was flat all night. I don't just mean in terms of missing shots, but literally noticeably less arc than usual, and he missed even at the rim on drives and O board putback bunnies. Sometimes it's just that kind of night.

As I mentioned in the previous game, we have the highest scoring bench in the league but out side of Thad who scored 10 on 5-11, and Tre who only played nine minutes but was 3-6 - nice touch, looks like he's getting it back - for 6 points, Bryn (0-3), Lonnie (2-10) and Devin (1-4) combined for SIX points. S-I-X. And that's including combining on 0-7 from 3. Feat or famine. I think Devin will have up and down games given he's the youngest of the three and adjusting to a bigger role and more minutes, but I can't figure out what Bryn and Lonnie are doing. Bryn is being read very well and pushed off the arc time and again by opponent D so we have to figure out how to get him more open, just pass it to him off a screen, curl into the spot and pop. Lonnie had that beautiful behind-the-back for a finger roll finish. Four of his FGAs were at the rim in the restricted are, making two. He's willing to take more hits on his drives and goes vertically with physicality although at times he pulls up just at the last second I guess to try and better control getting the shot in? Credit for the effort. His 3s were mostly open from what I recall and he's making them at a decent clip so I mean what can you do either the guy makes them or not. Make them, Lonnie.

Not much more to say about this one other than in a make or miss league, our D has been consistent enough to keep us in all but one or two games. One thing is that we - and Keldon in particular - kept going under screens on their 3s leaving them too open as he couldn't over enough ground to contest, so that's something to clean up. Loved his staying with the driver and getting the well timed block. We're competing hard, and I wonder if all the effort on D is affecting our ability to make shots? But then we have game where so many shots go in, so go figure.

More work with Chip, maybe some hypnosis - "You are driving past defenders to the rim. You are using the glass. Your shots are going in." "You are getting open on screens. You are spotting up with balance. Your shot is going in." Or maybe some Vedic chants in a yoga session. Or maybe light a candle. Or maybe talk to Chip some more.

Whatever works.

But throughout it all I hope we keep the faith because we are IN these games. That is encouraging, and I liked the fight we put forth tonight. Down double digits several times, and a bad end to the 3RD Q and down 18 at one point, we kept on pushing and playing and figuring it out. Just practice right habits, right positions, right shooting strokes, and stay with it. That's the most important thing right now - stay with it. We've been without Jakob for half of our games, and Doug has missed three, and we've yet to have Zach play. These guys are difference makers and if the rest of the team can focus on the good play, the good results form everyone contributing WILL result. On to the next one where hopefully we're a bit healthier and have more players available to contribute and share the load. I liked a lot of what I saw in this game so I hope we stay together and stay hungry.