Wemby Watch: Gregg Popovich Boosts Warriors Play-In Hopes With Tankish Rest Games

Story of the Game

The Warriors baaarrrely pulled that out despite Jeremy Sochan being out with injury and Gregg Popovich conveniently resting Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson.

With just Wemby and Easter lunch scraps, the Spurs still nearly knocked off the Warriors sans Jonathan Kuminga (which means a first round exit for the Warriors, if they make the playoffs).

Pop has to be feeling the pressure to keep this Spurs team bottled and locked into the 3rd worst record. The problem is Victor Wembanyama is better than Pop thought he would be.

Had Pop given him a chance, Victor could have led the Spurs to the potential playoff spot the Warriors are now fighting for.

Victor Stats

32 points, 5 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks in 31 minutes

10–22 fgs, 3–10 3 fgs

Quick Thoughts

The Spurs could have easily won this game. Here are some random thoughts:

• I can’t stand Steph Curry’s showboating antics after he makes a three. Your team was barely able to escape a game where Gregg Popovich was doing everything he could reasonably do to lose.
• It seems like Victor didn’t try to block Draymond enough. He let Draymond waltz in for some very low altitude layups.
• Victor’s not boxing out came back to haunt him with the over the back call on a crucial rebound (although I don’t think that was actually over the back).
• Victor was money from the free throw line with all the pressure on him. I think he hit six consecutive.
• Davonte Graham hit some helpful threes.
• Most of the Spurs played like garbage and showed why they’re on the bottom end of the roster.
• Victor had a nice collection of low post buckets including his semi poster on Trayce Jackson-Davis where he backed up almost under the basket.

Pre-game Setup

The Golden State-San Antonio matchup is game #75 for the Spurs.

Betting: Spurs +10.5, Over/Under 227.5

(Guess-Prediction: I’ll take the Spurs and the over.)

Betting Record going into the game 50–55–1.

The Warriors traveled to San Antonio for this contest.