In a first half characterized by alternating runs — somtimes back-to-back — from Chicago (29-46) and San Antonio (57-18), it was the Spurs that pulled away behind a 35-19 second quarter — specifically the dominance of superstar Victor Wembanyama and stellar guards — Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. The Spurs held a 31-18 rebound edge through the first 24 minutes of action, and managed to build on that disparity well into the second half (41-23 after three and 55-35 total).
San Antonio was led by Wembanyama (41 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Castle (19 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds). Julian Champagnie (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) worked through a sluggish start, and Keldon Johnson (15 points) and Harper (13 points and 6 rebounds) were crucial during that second quarter push.
Former Spur Tre Jones (23 points and 3 assists) performed well enough for Chicago in the loss. Leonard Miller (21 points and 7 rebounds) had an outsized impact offenisvely for the Bulls, while Collin Sexton (20 points) played like he was competing with Rob Dillingham for playing time.
Wembanyama figured in on nearly every consequential play for the first 6+ minutes of action — putting up 10 points, 5 rebounds, and a block for measure. Starting with Jones’ steal and reverse, Chicago spread its production out among the starters, and shot better from distance to stake itself to leads throughout the stanza. Jones took advantage of his familiarity with the rims to lead the Bulls in scoring, but San Antonio still went to the second period up 29-28.
Despite a brief halting of the offensive momentum to start the second, both teams — particularly Castle for San Antonio and Miller for Chicago — resumed the scoring pace. San Antonio was able to build its lead by cutting down the amount of open shots conceded and walling off driving lanes. After seeing two triples go down, Castle leveraged the threat of his outside shot to find San Antonio’s bigs deep in the paint, and the Spurs benefitted from entering the foul bonus to pad their advantage. Though an old Spur (Jones) scored last for Chicago, it was the brightest Spur (Wembanyama) that hit a three to send the Spurs to halftime up 64-47.
Though they looked like one YouTube video repeating the same dunk, Wembanyama strung together an impressive solo reel of dunks at the start of the third period, and San Antonio ran their lead up to 25. Meanwhile, Jones seemed like the only starter able to counter the Spurs meaningfully. Jones kickstarted a 10-0 run late in the frame, and yet Chicago could only draw within 19. San Antonio went to the fourth up 20.
Observations
- George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin.
- The Bulls and Hornets were the only NBA teams that could pull off the pinstripe look.
- Wow – a nightcap of Thunder and Pistons!
- The gentleman next to me on my flight Saturday (wearing a University of Arizona cap) gushed about Carter Bryant for the better part of the four hour trip. Apparently he was very happy as an alum to see the line of Wildcat players coming to San Antonio continue.
- Devin’s Deeds: Well into garbage time, Vassell clanked a fadeaway jumper, and in folllowing him back downcourt, he never gave up on the play and managed to swat away Buzelis’ floater (that was called for goaltending).
- Harrison Barnes WITH headband – 0 for 2 from three. #pobrecito
- Sequence of the Game #1: Some dogged defense later in the first half led to a Barnes steal, and Wembanyama spotted a streaking Castle down the right side for a slam off of two feet that Dominique Wilkins would have been proud of.
- Sequence of the Game #2: Though we’ve long been accustomed to Wembanyama’s greatness around the rim, the NBC broadcast team did a great job of affirming the unselifhness involved in San Antonio’s wings setting him up. (That rookie season of futile attempts to find Wembanyama seems like a distant memory).
Game Rundown
After the Bulls’ second basket at the rim in 72 seconds, Coach Johnson called a Pop-like timeout. San Antonio started the first couple of possessions with Wembanyama on the right block, but the forward succeeded four times from three different spots straightaway in the painted area. Chicago had a moderately easy time getting buckets on drives and held a slight advantage on several occasions. Successive triples from Isaac Okoro and Sexton put the Bulls up three, but those were immediately matched by a lightning fast seven point burst from Harper. Despite a very poor outside shooting start, San Antonio — starting with Harper’s scoring and ending with a Keldon Johnson three — left it up one.
Aside from Barnes’ first three points and an awkward Giddey floater, there was a scoring drought spanning the first three minutes of the second period. Then the floodgates shot open, as Miller got to double digits scoring with some sneaky hot shooting, while Giddey found his groove, as well. Champagnie saw a floater and a corner three go down, while Castle saw his first three go down, too. Castle’s catch-and-shoot three seconds later gave the Spurs their biggest lead (eight) to that point. San Antonio played its best two-way minutes to end the half, as the Bulls found themselves forcing things more noticeably. Aside from a Johnson score, Wembanyama and Castle carried the rest of San Antonio’s production to lead by 17 at the break.
Wembanyama’s personal 12-point burst in the third put the Bulls on the ropes, while Vassell encouragingly hit his first three during that barrage, too. Seconds after his re-entry, Miler hit yet another three for Chicago. Harper put up two quick scores on his own, and the comfortable 20+ point cushion allowed for the Spurs to try out different line-ups.
For the Bulls fan’s perspective, please visit Blog A Bull.
San Antonio takes on Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night at 9:00 PM CDT on ESPN.
