SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 16: SPURS VS. JAZZ, 21-11-2024, 7PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 126 JAZZ 118

A game of two halves, and if we just had to take one off, better to take the first and have time for the comeback in the second.

This Jazz team reminds me of us but a couple of years ago, when we'd look all polished and on a string on both ends and in the second half like someone cut the string and everyone was trying to get their balance again.

CP3 and Barnes are paying HUGE dividends in production on both sides of the floor, in veteran leadership, and in steadying the ship when we get down.

Have to say, that first half was disappointing and made palatable only by the effort of the second.

While it's not how you start it's how you finish springs to mind, another way to look at it is progress is measured in mitigating mistakes. To that end, TOs, rebounds, communication and scoring droughts reared their ugly heads. It's easy to say oh you're a pro go out and play but it's not easy to do with such big roster changes. Several times guys were guiding the lesser used players to where they ought to go. It's not so automatic and had we played a better team this 20 point deficit might have not been overcome but even missing three starters we managed to up the intensity and pour in 126 despite missing essentially around 50PPG.

I love how Bassey is flexing and showing the breadth of his game and bringing energy. Exactly what we need from him. Love Tre's return and steadying presence. Love Castle growing before our eyes. Love what the vets brought from CP3's clutch 3s and game time management to Barnes' leading us in points, both with a double double.

We had eight players in double figures in scoring from five starters to three bench players. Interesting bench rotation with Branham, Blake, and Bassey filling out the top 10. We need more than 1-8 from the former two combined. We just do. And they have to figure out how to best do it. I guess I get why Mamu sat, maybe, but it sure would be great to see Sidy showcase his game more.

Only 11 TOs. Good.We out rebounded, had more assists, got to the FT line wayyy more and made them at a a good but not great rate.

We won the fast break points and edged them in PITP. We had to generate points from areas besides/in addition to 3s and did well in the second half to win it 75-51.

I forget which coach from Pop's coaching tree I heard this from earlier, either Hardy or Kerr, I think the latter, anyway he talked about how Pop would love on the group with positives when we lost but was actually more critical when we won, focused on the minutia details we must get right. One, of course, is playing for the full 48.

This game never felt out of reach but we also can't take another team so lightly as to come out so lackadaisically. Still, I like the response in the second half. Let's bottle that and roll it into the next game.

GSG

[G R E Y]

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