San Antonio’s Recent Loss Doesn’t Dim Optimism Around a Breakout Season
The Spurs dropped their second game in a row Monday night at the Frost Bank Center to my Cleveland Cavaliers 113-101.
Cleveland had seven players score in double figures led by Jarrett Allen’s 27 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Mobley added 16 points while Darius Garland chipped in 15 points and 11 dimes for the Cavs.
V-Dub, in his second game back in the starting lineup, led all Spurs with 26 points and 14 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season.
Steph Castle scored 15 points for the Spurs and De’Aaron Fox had 14 points in his return from a one-game absence due to tightness in his left adductor.
The team is 8-2 over their last ten games including winning eight straight before losing to Utah at home on Saturday 127-114. The team is now 11-4 at the Frost Bank Center on the season.
Despite dropping the last two, if you are a Spurs fan you should feel pretty optimistic about the team’s future. Through the first third of the season the Spurs are arguably one of the best teams in the league and definitely the Association’s biggest surprise this season.
As evidence, the Spurs move up three spots to open the week in the top spot of this week’s NBA Power Rankings unseating the Thunder. You don’t defeat the top team and defending champions three times in the span of 13 days without taking an edge over them.
The Christmas Day shellacking of the the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in front of the world was the Spurs announcing to the League that they are here. The Spurs are 3-0 against the champs on the season series.
Coach Mitch Johnson for his part has done a phenomenal job in leading this group. In his first full season at the helm the Spurs are 23-9 and maintaining their hold on the second spot in the West just four and a half games behind the Thunder. They are tied with New York for the third best record in the league to date. This is from a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in six years. I admit I had my doubts as to his experience however he’s shown himself more than capable to succeed a legend like Popovich. His name should definitely be in the conversation for Coach of the Year.
The Spurs will look to getting back to their winning ways in an NBA Cup Finals rematch against the Knicks at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.
Upcoming Games:
Wed, Dec 31 vs (2) NY Knicks (23-9)
6pm, NBATV
Fri, Jan 2 @ (15) Indiana (6-27)
6pm
Sat, Jan 3 vs (10) Portland (14-19)
7pm
Tue, Jan 6 @ (9) Memphis (15-17)
7pm
