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In case you were wondering “just how many close games have the Spurs been involved in this season,” this graphic popped up on the Jazz telecast:
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Jazz analyst Matt Harpring lamented at the end of the fourth quarter “San Antonio made all their midrange shots tonight. He (Gregg Popovich) gets the most out of his talent.” Here’s Harpring’s evidence:
Dear lord the Spurs murdered Utah to death with mid-range shots pic.twitter.com/byy7SdZ5WR
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) January 30, 2020
DeMar DeRozan — The deserving all-star did his best Kobe impression in the clutch shooting area in LaMarcus Aldridge’s absence. This move notched him his 16,000 career point:
16,000 career points and counting!
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
@DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/FrFmBGukMs
This shot gave him DeRozan his 35th points on the night and helped salt away the game against the Jazz:
3️⃣5️⃣ points for @DeMar_DeRozan! pic.twitter.com/zySmpRHXWV
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
In what might be DeMar’s best, if not most efficient season, he continues to share the marquee with other notable players in accomplishments:
Only three players to score 1,000+ points in each of the last 10 seasons:
— Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) January 30, 2020
LeBron James
Russell Westbrook
DEMAR DEROZAN
(LaMarcus Aldridge only other player that could join list this season)
Derrick White — Though not quite playing at an all-star level, the unsung contributor is helping space the floor for DeRozan to work with his shooting and passing:
D3RRICK. WHIT3.#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/2nOZgD8ub3
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Let’s hope to see more of these connections from White to Lonnie Walker IV in the upcoming games and seasons:
that White Walker connection ❄️#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/BTtVDLKmIT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Jakob Poeltl — Though much time is spent on his defensive attributes, he has scored more comfortably in recent games:
Poeltl Drop pic.twitter.com/qGdwsGUU4z
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
His ability to catch and credibly finish around the hoop may net him more playing time:
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
On the other hand, this type of stuff is what brings all the cool nicknames:
Protector of Paints #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/GMHVd2qSuW
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Dejounte Murray — Murray made life difficult for Rudy Gobert tonight on both ends, which may bode well in the teams’ next three meetings:
block on one end, bucket on the other @DejounteMurray | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/MrJXkdmSBg
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Rudy Gay — Rudy found minutes as an erstwhile ‘5’ and showed off his interior passing:
a little drop off in the paint@RudyGay ➡️ @Chimezie_Metu pic.twitter.com/LGcgC1qqps
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
On the topic of DeRozan’s late missed free throw in Chicago, Gay acted as off-court support as well: “I’m not saying I’m taking credit, but after the game, I said, ‘You know, that’s just a foul shot. We move on. We’ve got way more games.’ And he came out and played his tail off. Actually, I will take the credit.’”
Marco Belinelli — When his shot has connected this season, it’s often made a difference to the outcome:
@marcobelinelli pic.twitter.com/JYSwPVBDwd
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Finally, here is a nice compilation of last night’s great plays by the Spurs:
Locked in together for a team W tonight!
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 30, 2020
Highlights pic.twitter.com/nqKEX67I0Z
See you all Saturday evening for our final home game against the Hornets before the Rodeo Road Trip!