By Jeff McDonald | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-11-05 14:23:06
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年11月4日，星期一，在加州英格尔伍德举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，洛杉矶快船队中锋伊维察·祖巴茨（左）和圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)争抢篮板球。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
休斯敦——马刺队一路高歌猛进，看似即将取得赛季初的三连胜，这将为这支极度渴望胜利的年轻球队注入乐观情绪。
他们已经赢了两场，并且在上半场对阵一个看似突然且完全无法招架的对手时，领先了超过20分。
去年11月，马刺队在主场对阵多伦多猛龙队时领先22分，情况也是如此。周一晚上，他们在客场对阵洛杉矶快船队时，一度领先26分，情况也是如此。
在这两种情况下，马刺队都挥霍了这些巨大的领先优势，最终输掉了比赛。
“这是一场漫长的比赛，”在马刺队在洛杉矶的Intuit Dome球馆以113-104的比分输掉比赛后，代理主教练米奇·约翰逊说道。“我们不认为我们能一直保持这样的状态，他们也无法一直保持那样的状态。”
现在，马刺队只能希望历史的其余部分不会重演。
上赛季，令人失望地输给多伦多猛龙队，并没有迎来三连胜，反而开启了18连败的颓势，这将成为俱乐部历史上最长的连败纪录。
马刺队将在周三客场挑战休斯敦火箭队，这是他们避免再次连败的第一次机会。
“对于像我们这样的更衣室来说，首先要做的就是确保球员们相信我们真的可以变得很出色，”控球后卫克里斯·保罗说道，他的球队在第一节后以40-14领先快船队，但最终输掉了比赛。“当你经历这样的事情时，球员们在训练中努力训练，每天都努力，却看不到胜利，这种事情会变得很平常，你会觉得‘永远都不够’。”
“我们要确保他们知道，他们参加每场比赛都要想着我们能赢。”
周三在丰田中心的比赛将是马刺队在三个多星期内第四次对阵火箭队，其中包括一场季前赛。
马刺队在10月份与休斯敦的两场常规赛主场比赛中各胜一场，两场比赛的比分波动都很大。
在获胜的那场比赛中，马刺队一度领先22分，但最终以109-106险胜。两晚之后，火箭队几乎挥霍了21分的领先优势，但最终以106-101获胜。
“我认为，当我们取得这样的领先优势时，关键在于回归我们的基本功，并知道我们的基本功是什么，”马刺队中锋文班亚马说道，他在对阵快船队的比赛中得到14分、13个篮板和9次盖帽。“这需要我们在球场上共同积累经验。”
2024年11月4日，加利福尼亚州英格尔伍德：在Intuit Dome球馆举行的快船队113-104战胜马刺队的比赛中，洛杉矶快船队的德里克·琼斯二世（55号）在圣安东尼奥马刺队的杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)（10号）面前抢下篮板球。（摄影：Harry How/Getty Images）
新秀可能将首发出场
马刺队在下半场没有首发前锋杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)，他在第二节左拇指受伤。
索汉能否参加周三在休斯敦的比赛目前尚不清楚。
由于索汉在洛杉矶无法上场，约翰逊选择让新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)在下半场首发。如果索汉被排除在对阵火箭队的比赛之外，这可能预示着这位第四顺位新秀将迎来职业生涯的首次首发。
卡斯尔在前七场比赛中场均得到6分和2.3次助攻，他已经成为马刺队最可靠的防守球员之一。
“他做得很好，”约翰逊谈到20岁的卡斯尔时说。“对于任何他这个年龄、他这种经验的球员来说，打这么长时间的比赛，并努力执行我们要求他做的事情，他做得非常出色。”
瓦塞尔接近结束康复期
约翰逊说，得分后卫德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)越来越接近他的赛季首秀。这位24岁的球员在6月份接受左脚手术后还没有参加过比赛。
“这显然是一条漫长的道路，但他正在逐渐恢复，”约翰逊说。“我预计他很快就会复出。”
作为球队上赛季的第二得分手，瓦塞尔预计不会参加对阵火箭队的比赛，但他可能会在本周晚些时候复出。
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers reacts as he changes his shot in front of Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs with Ivica Zubac #40 during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a 113-104 loss to the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers attempts a shot as he is defended by Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers chase after a ball during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a 113-104 loss to the against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Amir Coffey #7 of the LA Clippers celebrates his three pointer behind Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 113-104 Clippers win at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers scores over Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 113-104 Clippers win at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, below, shoots as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, right, drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, shoots as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, drives against Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, drives past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, dunks as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, celebrates his dunk as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, top, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey, left, dunks as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
点击查看原文：Loss in L.A. tests Spurs ability to bounce back
Loss in L.A. tests Spurs ability to bounce back
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
HOUSTON – The Spurs were cruising along, seemingly on track for an early-season three-game winning streak that would have stoked optimism for a young team in desperate need of it.
They had won two in a row and were ahead by more than 20 points in the first half against an opponent that seemed suddenly and solidly overmatched.
That was true last November, when the Spurs went up by 22 at home against Toronto. It was true again Monday night, when they raced ahead by 26 points on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In both cases, the Spurs blew those sizeable leads and lost.
“It’s a long game,” acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after the Spurs suffered a 113-104 fall-from-ahead defeat at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome. “We didn’t think we were going to keep that up and that they were going to keep that up.”
Now, the Spurs can only hope the rest of that history does not repeat.
Instead of a three-game winning streak, last season’s disappointing loss to Toronto kick-started an 18-game losing skid that would go down as the longest in club annals.
The Spurs get their first shot at short-circuiting another losing streak when they return to action Wednesday at Houston.
“The first thing going into a locker room like ours is just making sure the guys believe that we can be really good,” said point guard Chris Paul, whose team led the Clippers 40-14 after the first quarter and lost. “When you go through things like that where guys work hard in practice and try every day and don’t see the wins, that stuff can get pretty routine where you’re like, ‘It’s never enough.’
“We’re going to make sure they know they’re going in every game thinking we can win.”
Wednesday’s game at the Toyota Center will mark the Spurs’ fourth game against the Rockets in a little more than three weeks, including one preseason contest.
The Spurs split a pair of regular-season home games against Houston in October, with wild swings in both of them.
In the victory, the Spurs took a 22-point lead before being forced to sweat out a 109-106 triumph. Two nights later, the Rockets nearly squandered a 21-point edge before holding on to win 106-101.
“I think when we get a lead like that, it’s a matter of going back to our basics and knowing what our basics are,” said Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who had 14 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks against the Clippers. “It comes with experience together on the court.”
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the LA Clippers grabs a rebound in front of Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 113-104 Clippers win at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rookie could be in line for start
The Spurs played the second half Monday without starting forward Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a left thumb injury in the second quarter.
Sochan’s status for Wednesday’s game in Houston was not immediately known.
With Sochan unavailable in Los Angeles, Johnson went with rookie Stephon Castle to open the second half. That could signal a first career start in the offing for the No. 4 overall draft pick should Sochan be ruled out against the Rockets.
Castle is averaging six points and 2.3 assists through seven games, and has emerged as one of the Spurs’ most dependable defenders.
“He’s doing great,” Johnson said of the 20-year-old Castle. “Anybody at his age, with his experience, playing the types of minutes and trying to execute the things we’re asking of him, he’s doing a great job.”
Vassell nearing end of rehab stint
Shooting guard Devin Vassell is getting closer to making his season debut, Johnson said. The 24-year-old has yet to play in a game after undergoing surgery on his left foot in June.
“It’s obviously been a long road but he’s ramping up,” Johnson said. “I would expect him soon.”
The team’s second-leading scorer last season, Vassell is not expected to play against the Rockets but could become available later in the week.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Terance Mann #14 of the LA Clippers reacts as he changes his shot in front of Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs with Ivica Zubac #40 during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a 113-104 loss to the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers attempts a shot as he is defended by Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers chase after a ball during the first half at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a 113-104 loss to the against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Amir Coffey #7 of the LA Clippers celebrates his three pointer behind Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 113-104 Clippers win at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers scores over Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 113-104 Clippers win at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, below, shoots as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, right, drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, shoots as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, drives against Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, drives past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, dunks as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, celebrates his dunk as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, top, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey, left, dunks as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
By Jeff McDonald, via San Antonio Express-News