SPURS GAME DAY! PRE-SEASON GAME 3: SPURS VS. ROCKETS, 16-10-2023, 7PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

The first of a two-game mini-series versus a state rival which will have some players back, others resting. New lineups, same D-out, team-first focus and effort.

WHERE: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX

WHEN: Monday, October 16, 2023, 7pm (CT)

Read on Twitter

GO SPURS GO!!!

[G R E Y]

Keldon's back playing, however:

Read on Twitter

[G R E Y]

Read on Twitter

[G R E Y]

Early dedication to getting the ball into the post and operating from there - pass outs, cuts, etc.

[G R E Y]

Keldon's first 3. Nice smooth confident shot. Then Keldon RIPS the ball under the basket from the opponent. RAWR. Good D effort.

[G R E Y]

DO NOT like that Malaki bringing up the ball after Keldon earns the jump ball, which we win, only for our guys to run out to the wings and watch Malaki tunnel vision take over and **** not pass to anyone before his one and done missed 3.

[G R E Y]

Even Keldon's passing it. He used to be doing what Malaki is now. Hint hint MB...

[G R E Y]

So Sochan's guarding the 4 on D and bringing up the ball as the 1 on O. Interesting. Welcome to Swiss Army Knife positioning.

[G R E Y]

We keep getting the bigs mismatch in the block and doing well to make the most of it, this time with Sochan whose handles are not so tight but he's more patient as Sean (I think) said. Well done in the recognition by team and finish by JC.

[G R E Y]

D is tighter to a man, and the O is much more diverse. We're scoring on P&Rs, in the block, on high post, cuts, 3s, O board putbacks, etc., etc. Really nice to see.

[G R E Y]

O board work reaping rewards.

[G R E Y]

1ST Q: SPURS 35 ROCKETS 26

13-24, 6-11 from 3 but 3-7FTs

Pop pointed out poor rebounding and we have responded with a 13-8 lead, 3-0 on O.

Starting unit is clicking. Good variety of plays operating from up top or right block (mostly).

But active D with good switches, hands out, feet moving, and awareness in help D.

Nine assists. Nice.

Point-Sochan looking good.

Great to have Keldon back.

[G R E Y]

Keldon with the ripping of the ball out of an opponent's hands.

Keldon with a block.

Terrific D effort and results. Huge addition if his D floor is raised.

[damanick10]

Love the intensity tonight. This is going to be a fun season!

[G R E Y]

Malaki and Blake are just... not finishing well at the rim.

Julian just can't hit a 3.

Best to get these out of their systems in pre-season I guess.

[G R E Y]

I like our rim protection. If they get an O board and try a putback, we punish it. No easy baskets.

[damanick10]

Damn Collins has some moves

[G R E Y]

Zach - left hook, right hook, both off of good post seal and positioning and bod and foot work.

[G R E Y]

Keldon another deflection on D and we get a basket on the other end. Well done.

[G R E Y]

2ND Q: SPURS 52 ROCKETS 43

Didn't notice the end of the last two minutes oof not really with it hard to focus.

Anyway, Zach is cooking with 18/7 (3 on O)/4 - all team highs.

Appreciate point-Sochan even in its nascent form. And the whoever has it brings it up quickly scheme.

Love the contagious D - Keldon with the help rip the ball out, then block, then deflection. Cedi gets a help block, Malaki, too, we just don't give up and don't give up easy baskets. Four first-half blocks.

Only 2 assists this Q but it was a low-scoring one. Eleven overall so far.

26-20 in overall boards and 7-4 on O boards is great.

Outside of Mamu (1-1) bench is really struggling -- everyone else is 0-6 combined.

Cedi looking better and quicker and more comfortable each game - on both ends.

Loving the two-way, multi-faceted O effort to which everyone's contributing. Love that we're not taking any ****.

I hope Pop plays some of the other bench guys in the second half.

GSG.