Spurs also know how to win “ugly” matches

« This match is undoubtedly the one in which we were the most consistent 48 minutes in my career. » This is how it was expressed and Victor Vembanyama pleased with the performance of his Spurs on the Hawks floor over the weekend.

The Frenchman will not be able to say that after the victory a night spent in Washington this time. Because apart from a serious boost in the second quarter, won by more than 20 points (21-43), the Texans were pretty good at their daily work.

Without much flash in his skill set, for example: 41% on shots (43/104), including 32% on threes (13/41). Dylan Harper (0/8 on shots), Julian Champagne (1/6), Devin Vasell (3/11) and Stephon Castle (4/16) all struggled to find the target.

« It was one of those games where sometimes you just need certain players to get the job done. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t up to our standards in some areas. But it’s a long season. And we can’t always be too… (hesitations) I would say, selfish in relation to the look of the game », Mitch Johnson formulas.

A double duel against Thunder follows

The latter believes that his team provided the essential, ” doing only what was necessary to maintain the situation Namely, the favorable gap, which was created in the first period, which the Wizards failed to fill. Trailing by 20 points at the break, the home team returned, at best, to three possessions.

« It is difficult to approach such a team. We played them a few days ago. We are on the move. We just have to keep raising our level and our consistency », demands the coach who could do without Victor Vembanyama in the fourth quarter.

« It’s not about Victor, with or without him. This is our level, our brand, our identity. And I think we showed good signs of that, especially in the second quarter. Yes, it wasn’t as consistent as we would have liked. But once again, we did it ” said the coach, whose team has already won two games shooting 41% or less.

Including one of them against the Thunder, in the NBA Cup. The defending champions the Spurs meet this week in a doubleheader: first Tuesday at Texas, second Thursday at Oklahoma. ” I haven’t thought too much about it yet. But obviously, they’re the defending champions, and that’s who they are. So I expect very competitive matches at a high level », Mitch Johnson Projects.