Fox-Wembanyama duo lead Spurs to victory

Just like two weeks ago, the duel between San Antonio and New Orleans was more complicated than expected for the Spurs! This time there was no need for overtime, but concentration until the final seconds to ensure the success that took time for the Texans to appear.

In addition to the hungry Webby (18 points, 18 rebounds, 3 blocks) and the Castle-Wassell-Champagne-Barnes quartet, De’Aaron Fox will be valuable for his first match of the season with his 24 points and 3 assists to make the decision at the end and allow the Spurs to get their seventh win in nine games.

The duel, however, looked unbalanced as the Pelicans performed without Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson and Yves Mission. Victor Vembanyama he quickly did the damage with two alley-oops and nothing but his force of deterrence in defence, but Willie Green’s men never gave up.

Like two triples by Jose Alvarado at the end of the first quarter, or two arrows in quick succession by Derrick Quinn and Jordan Hawkins to tie the game at 32-32, San Antonio had to do violence!

Tough Pelicans all the way

De’Aaron Fox then marked his comeback by scoring 15 points during an 18-2 run that put the Spurs at +16. The former Kings leader made the total score in just over three minutes with two 3-point baskets, a mid-range shot and a 2+1 layup to make it 50-34. We thought the machine had started when the deficit increased to +19 on a three-pointer by Lindy Waters III (55-36). But the Pelicans didn’t give up!

After a three-pointer by Herb Jones, Jeremiah Fiers and Trey Murphy III caught fire and reduced the deficit to -8 at the break (66-58). San Antonio looked to regain momentum after returning from the locker room without being able to discourage the fiery Trey Murphy III, between his authoritative dunk, his three, his 2+1 and two layups to end his third quarter with a shot from midcourt at the buzzer (92-85).

San Antonio loaded the bases, relying on Victor Vembanyama, in the alley, on a 3-pointer and then near the circle to continue answering the unstoppable Trey Murphy III. Nothing worked, and two baskets by Sadiq Bey for 3 points, followed by Herb Jones, brought New Orleans back to -3 (115-112) with three minutes left!

Composed, De’Aaron Fox restarted the machine, and then Victor Wembanyama skillfully found Julian Champagne in the corner to give the locals some breathing room (120-112). Except Trey Murphy III did his thing again, with two baskets including a 2+1 and a layup service for Jeremiah Furse (122-119). In the final sprint, it was De’Aaron Fox who made the difference to secure the victory by laying down a cool floater and then finishing the job with a free throw. Wembey’s final block on Jeremy Firce then gave the Spurs a 126-119 win. The fight will be tough, but the most important thing has been achieved, and San Antonio remains unbeaten at home after five games.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– De’Aaron Fox’s winning comeback. His return was expected and the leader did not disappoint! We will especially remember his crazy pass in the second quarter that was not enough to calm the enthusiasm of the Pelicans. It is also worth finishing with 24 points (9/14 shooting) and 3 assists in 21 minutes at the end of the match.

– Trey Murphy III Monte in Temperature. In the absence of several executives he had to step up to the plate and showed that he has the shoulders to take the next step. The author of 41 points (on 15/22 shooting), the shooter tied the career record and, above all, left opponents speechless on several shots, such as his basket from the parking lot at the buzzer of the third quarter.

– Wemby 18/18. Five turnovers, nine 3-point attempts, his season high (2/9)… Wemby didn’t get fired up, but he did what was needed to calm his team on both ends of the floor. We will remember his “extra-pass” worthy of the leader to Julian Champagne in the corner when he almost had an open position in the important moment of “money-time”, and his decisive counters to finish the job. 18 points, 18 rebounds and a win in the finish: job done.

– Stephon Castle’s 14/14. And for him, it’s a career high tied with his 14 assists, including numerous accurate serves to Victor Vembanyama. This may be his new mission, as the “facilitator” of the return of De’Aaron Fox who will also take his share of the pie in the offense.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.