Wemby Watch: Young, Talented Spurs Ready to Compete, Upset 1st Place Timberwolves

Story of the Game

The Spurs took it to the Minnesota Timberwolves, outscoring the T-Wolves 33–22 in the fourth, and came out on top in a thriller.

The win was a collaborative effort for the Spurs with big contributions pouring in from all corners. The Timberwolves were up for the challenge and hit numerous big shots to counter the Spurs relentless scoring, but ultimately Karl Anthony-Towns last second shot fell short at the buzzer and San Antonio celebrated a big, big win.

Victor Stats

23 points, 6 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks in 30 minutes

9–17 fgs, 3–6 3 fgs

Quick Thoughts

There are no qualifications needed for this Wemby Watch. The Spurs just beat the best team in the West at near full strength — and it’s not like the Wolves folded; Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Rudy Gobert all played solid or better.

But the youthful Spurs squad showed that they’re ready for a lot more than just developing and losing.

Even had they come up short, this was exactly the type of competitive effort I called for in last night’s win against the Blazers:

The next step is for the positive play to carry over into competitiveness against good teams. Wins aren’t necessary to demonstrate real progress. As long as the Spurs can play good and stay competitive against quality opponents, that will go a long way to showing that this Spurs team isn’t just perpetually in “development” stage.

And, of course, if the Spurs are in more games, they’re going to win some of those games.

Tomorrow night against the Timberwolves will be a good test.

Tonight’s win was important for everybody on the Spurs organization to see firsthand that this has talent and this team can win.

• Jeremy Sochan had a slow start but hit at least three huge buckets to keep the Spurs in the game (and he had a number of good defensive possessions)
• Devin Vassell bounced back from a medicore game last night to score 25 points
• Keldon Johnson had a horrible first half but pushed through to have a big impact in the second
• Dominick Barlow hit big shots and held his own on defense
• Doug McDermott hit 3 threes
• Tre Jones had a steady, positive effect

And Pop coached to win. He played Victor 30 minutes and was clearly into the game.

The possibility of the emergence of a Big 4 for the Spurs continues to lurk.

I’ve previously said the Spurs should play loose and aggressive and be in continual attack mode. From the Wemby Watch vs. the Celtics at home:

The younger Spurs should always be attacking and playing with aggression, putting opponents on their heels.

There is absolutely no pressure on the Spurs so they should be the ones to play free and loose and apply as much pressure as possible to their opponents and test their mettle.

That’s what happened tonight.

The Spurs pick up action Monday against the Wizards for a chance to win their third game in a row.

The team looks enthused after every victory so I’m interested to see how their momentum carries over.

Pre-game Setup

The Minnesota-Spurs matchup is game #46 for the Spurs.

Betting: Wolves -10.5, Over/Under 227.0

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

Betting Record going into the game 32–29–1.

The Timberwolves are in San Antonio for this contest.