San Antonio vs. Detroit, Final Score: Tired Spurs get blown out in second half by Pistons, 110-125
Today at 10:54 PM
The Spurs' energy was all spend after last night, leaving them little left fame game 2 in Austin.
Right back in the Moody Center in Austin one night after upsetting the Suns, this time the Spurs faced off against a much improved Pistons squad that not only is no longer the laughing stock of the NBA, but also in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. After a slow start, the Spurs made a roaring comeback in the second quarter while riding the energy of Keldon Johnson, but they couldn't sustain, getting blown out in the second for a 110-125 loss.
Johnson led the Spurs with 28 points on 11-13 shooting and nearly single-handedly kept the game from getting out of hand early, and De'Aaron Fox was close behind with 27 points. Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham couldn't miss for the Pistons, combining for 68 points on 28-39 shooting.
Observations
- Because this is the second night of a back-to-back, the Spurs didn't have to reveal their injury report until 1 PM. Flying under the radar amidst all the Victor Wembanyama news and the re-signing of Bismack Biyombo to a second 10-day contract was news that Charles Bassey is back, giving the Spurs more much needed depth at center. Biyombo still started since the Spurs tend to bring returning players off the bench, but it didn't take long for Bassey to sub in. Even so, Sandro Mamukelashvili getting the majority of the center minutes on the night, logging 10 points and 8 rebounds points.
- After a strong, adrenaline-fueled game against the Suns, possibly a sign of defiance to the Wemby news, the Spurs got out to a much slower start tonight, looking tired and disconnected while the Pistons gashed them on defense for several easy dunks. However, the bench got them going behind Stephon Castle and especially Johnson.
- KJ in particular brought his signature energy and hustle, scoring 13 points in the first half. His box score +/- of +18 was no fluke as the Spurs went from 10 down to 8 up while he was on the flood, but then they gave it all back (and them some) once he sat the final few minutes before halftime.
- Perhaps with the freedom to do more now that season expectations are gone, Mitch Johnson made another lineup adjustment at halftime, swapping Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell, be it for defensive match-up purposes against Cunningham and/or to try and get Vassell more touches by playing less with Fox. The idea was decent, but it had no impact as the Spurs again started the half extremely slow, dropping a turd quarter while getting outscored 38-18, making the 4th quarter extended garbage time.
- There's a little more excuse with no Wemby, and the Pistons are a big, beefy team, but giving up second chance points was an issue before he went down and remains one without him. They were out-rebounded 33-52, including giving up 19 offensive rebounds. Everyone is going to have to commit to gang rebounding to get by. Another sign of possibly being tried, the Spurs also didn't help themselves from the line, hitting just 14-22 of their free throws.
- The Spurs haven't had someone who can create instant offense like Fox since arguably Kawhi Leonard, and they haven't had someone with his speed who can drive around players and to the rim since prime Tony Parker. Without Wemby, he'll be the main source of Spurs offense going forward.
The Spurs still have nine more days and a four-game road trip standing between them and home, beginning at New Orleans on Sunday. Tip-off will be at 6:00 PM CT on FanDuel Sports Network.
