The Spurs started strong and finished weak tonight, as they had opportunities to put the game away after taking big leads at various points throughout the game, including a 16-0 lead to start the game and a 19 point lead in the third quarter. Every time the Spurs would get some breathing room, they would let up, and it didn’t help that the Spurs shooting woes continued in the clutch portion of the game. Victor Wembanyama outplayed Rudy Gobert, but late in the game, the Timberwolves put Julius Randle on him, and his physical defense definitely bothered the young Frenchman, as he also struggled with foul trouble. The Spurs couldn’t hit shots or hold onto the ball, as the physical Timberwolves took back the game with a late surge that had the home fans rocking the arena in Minnesota.
On an off night for Anthony Edwards (although he woke up during the Wolves’ fourth quarter comeback), most of the damage was done by guys like Donte DiVencenzo, Naz Reid, and Bones Hyland. The Timberwolves took their first lead of the game with a little over two minutes left, and while the Spurs had some shots to win it, they couldn’t make the final shot, and lost by one point in a game that seemed under control for most of the night. It was a tough loss, and a little discouraging as the Spurs prepare for their rematch with the Thunder on Tuesday night.
After starting the season with three consecutive back-to-back series separated with two days between them, the Spurs will have one day off before they travel to Oklahoma City for their fourth game with the Thunder. They’ve won all three previous contests, and staying unbeaten against the top team in the league wouldn’t just be nice, it would be very useful in their chase for the top seed in the west, and locking up home court throughout the playoffs, if you want to dream big, and I know you do. The Spurs will finish up their season series with the Thunder with a fifth [!] game on February 4 in San Antonio, finishing up the series before the All Star Break.