San Antonio Spurs End the Season With 138-117 Rout of the Dallas Mavericks

It was an up-and-down 2022 season for the San Antonio Spurs. Nonetheless, the group ended the 12 months on a constructive on Sunday, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 138-117 inside American Airways Middle. With the victory, the Spurs (22-60) end tied with the Houston Rockets in a tie for the second-worst file, whereas the loss for the Mavericks (38-44) permits them to maintain their draft decide this 12 months whereas proudly owning a three-percent probability of touchdown the highest decide, in response to The Smoking Cuban.

With star gamers absent for each groups, the Mavs’ Jaden Hardy led all gamers in scoring with 25 factors. He was one in all seven Dallas gamers to attain in double-figures, accounting for the entire lineup excluding Justin Vacation. Theo Pinson had a game-high 12 assists to go along with his 23 factors and 13 rebounds.

For the Spurs, Dominick Barlow paced all gamers with 19 rebounds as San Antonio completely dominated the glass. Together with Barlow who had 21 factors off the bench to go along with his rebounding, 4 Spurs recorded double-doubles, every with not less than 10 rebounds. Sandro Mamukelashvili led the group with 23 factors, whereas Blake Wesley edged out Tre Jones because the help chief with 9.

An Early Lead Led to a Lot of Nice Tryouts From the San Antonio Spurs

Seemingly able to put this season behind them, but nonetheless chomping on the bit to compete, the Spurs jumped everywhere in the Mavericks who had been just lately eradicated from the postseason image. On the finish of the primary quarter, San Antonio led 42-14, however that wasn’t as huge as their 31-point lead within the opening body. Maybe getting comfy, Dallas was in a position to shut the hole as shut as seven factors earlier than the Spurs as soon as once more put their foot on the fuel.

General, San Antonio had higher capturing percentages than the Mavericks in all areas of the sport, however that tends to be given in a win. The stat that actually appeared impactful was off the glass the place the Spurs out-worked Dallas 77-55 in rebounding benefit, together with 13 offensive boards. That performed key within the guests out-scoring the house group 62-48 within the paint and a 19-9 second-chance factors distinction.

Because the season is now over and the entrance workplace appears to assembling subsequent 12 months’s roster, various guys made robust circumstances to be back with the Spurs for 2023. Two-way contract gamers Barlow and Julian Champagnie flashed their potential towards the Mavericks. One of many stars of the ultimate stretch of the 12 months, nevertheless, continued to be Mamukelashvili. From dropping instances to raining threes, and all the things in between, his psychological prowess as soon as once more matched his bodily capacity as he continued to make “the precise play”.

Up Subsequent

There gained’t be any video games for the San Antonio Spurs till the Summer time League, and there’ll certainly be some new faces round. Nonetheless, issues are actually getting fascinating for the franchise. The Spurs and the Rockets tied for the second-worst file at 22-60. This units them up for a coin-flip to find out who could have completed the season second-to-last and third-to-last, which is key for the lottery picture.

Already, each groups share a 14 % probability to land the highest decide, as do the Detroit Pistons. Holding the worst file, Detroit gained’t decide any decrease than fifth. The second-worst, as decided by the drawing, will make their decide no later than sixth, and the third-worst no later than seventh. Every year, the drawing is a couple of month earlier than the NBA Draft, and this 12 months’s draft is on Tuesday, Might 16.

Try the full box score from NBA.com.