By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-11-06 23:12:46
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6日，星期三，在休斯顿举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1号)在休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks) (9号)的防守下试图传球。(美联社照片/Michael Wyke)
休斯顿——早在成为教练场上的对手之前，休斯顿的伊梅·乌度卡(Ime Udoka)和马刺的米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)就是网球场上的伙伴。
从2016年开始，两人都是格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)在圣安东尼奥教练组的助理教练，并且在另一种球场上一起度过了很多休息时间。
就网球界的竞争而言，这并不完全是康纳斯和麦肯罗的翻版。
“我每次都赢他，”乌度卡说。
约翰逊称乌度卡关于网球辉煌的描述有点夸张。
“我不认为有人在任何事情上赢过伊梅，”约翰逊说，“至少根据伊梅的说法是这样。”
两位教练于周三在丰田中心球馆展开对决，由于波波维奇身体不适，约翰逊担任马刺队的代理教练。
乌度卡再次战胜了他的老朋友，火箭队以127-100的比分取得了一场从始至终的胜利。
弗雷德·范弗利特(Fred VanVleet)上半场得到21分中的15分，并送出10次助攻，杰伦·格林(Jalen Green)也得到21分，休斯顿队以30-19的比分领先，并一路保持优势。
马刺队的文班亚马得到15分和3次盖帽，但他的跳投再次出现问题。马刺队其他球员的得分都没有超过朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)的13分。
自从周一以104-113输给洛杉矶快船队的第一节比赛结束以来，马刺队的日子就不好过了。在那场比赛的第一节以40-14的比分领先快船队之后，马刺队在接下来的七节比赛中总共输掉了62分。
马刺队半场以38-63落后于休斯顿队，这是他们本赛季最惨痛的失利，在火箭队开局的猛攻之后，他们再也没有真正地反击过。
“我们必须在下一场比赛中做出回应，”尚帕尼说道，他的球队将在周四在弗罗斯特银行中心球馆背靠背迎战波特兰队。“我们别无选择。”
以下是周三在休斯顿失利的三点观察，这场失利使马刺队的战绩跌至3胜5负：
- 火箭队的韧性再次赢得了比赛
包括季前赛在内，马刺队已经和休斯顿队交手四次，他们在周三的比赛前就知道会发生什么。
也就是说，他们知道火箭队会在比赛早期考验他们的勇气，看看他们的反应。
“那是一支强硬的球队，”尚帕尼说。“很多时候，他们一开始就这样做，看看其他球队的反应。”
马刺队的反应并不好。
第二节中段，马刺队29投10中，三分球10投2中，并出现了11次失误。
不出所料，他们落后了20分。
熟悉休斯顿队的比赛风格似乎并没有给马刺队带来多少帮助。
“我不认为我们今晚中的任何一方都试图耍花招，”约翰逊说。“他们大概知道我们想做什么。我们也知道他们想做什么。值得称赞的是，他们比我们更好地执行了他们的战术。”
杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)的缺阵对马刺队来说更是雪上加霜。
在上一次马刺队和火箭队的比赛中，索汉和范弗利特在离开弗罗斯特银行中心球馆时发生了冲突。火箭队的后卫显然对索汉本周早些时候“(去你的)休斯顿”的评论感到不满。
由于索汉在洛杉矶的比赛中拇指骨折，马刺队在周三的比赛中在韧性方面处于劣势。
2024年11月6日，星期三，在休斯顿举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，休斯顿火箭队后卫弗雷德·范弗利特(5号)在圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)面前投篮。(美联社照片/Michael Wyke)
- 卡斯尔的首次NBA首发表现尚可，但并不引人注目
马刺队新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)将永远记住周三的比赛，因为这是他的第一次NBA首发，即使他的最终数据平平无奇。
这位4号新秀与首发阵容融合得很好，得到5分和0次助攻。他还0次失误，并贡献了3次抢断，证明了他在防守端的积极性。
如果说有什么紧张情绪，卡斯尔并没有承认。
“我很平静，”卡斯尔说。“我知道我们的任务。我相信我们的策略，相信我们在场上的队友。没有什么值得兴奋的。”
卡斯尔在周三的比赛中顶替索汉进入首发阵容。他在首发位置上的时间应该不会很长。
得分后卫德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)在夏天接受了足部手术，预计很快就会复出，或许最早会在周六对阵犹他的比赛中复出。
当瓦塞尔复出时，卡斯尔应该会回到替补席。
2024年11月6日，星期三，在休斯顿举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，休斯顿火箭队后卫杰伦·格林(4号)在圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(1号)面前投篮。(美联社照片/Michael Wyke)
- 休斯顿继续给文班制造麻烦
从上个赛季开始，没有哪支球队像火箭队这样骚扰文班亚马。
休斯顿队倾向于用好斗的小前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯来防守这位身高7尺3寸的马刺队中锋，然后在他每次接球时都派人包夹他。
在周三的比赛之前，文班亚马职业生涯中已经六次面对休斯顿队，比任何其他对手都多。他在这些比赛中场均得到17分，投篮命中率为44.8%。
他还对火箭队犯了24次失误，比任何其他球队都多。
“他们很强硬，”约翰逊说。“我想我们来之前就知道这一点。他们很擅长这一点。我们试图给文班和整个球队一些解决方案来帮助他们解决这个问题，把他们放在合适的位置上。这是我们必须继续努力的事情。”
文班亚马在周三的比赛中再次陷入困境，14投6中，另有4次失误。正如本赛季一直存在的问题一样，文班亚马的大部分投篮失误都来自三分线外，他在三分线外6投1中。
马刺队要到2月份的“牛仔之旅”结束时才会再次面对火箭队。除了其他人以外，文班亚马或许最需要从休斯顿队那令人窒息的防守中得到喘息。
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the dunk attempt by Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the dunk attempt by Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, right, reaches in as he jumps to block the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) dunks the ball over San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, reaches in to break up the play during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, loses the ball on a drive to the basket as San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reaches in during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, center, checks the scoreboard as he talks with forward Tari Eason (17) and guard Jalen Green (4) at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up to pass the ball as Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, center, drives to the basket between Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, left, drives around Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) and San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham (22) chase a loose ball after it was knocked away by Landale during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, right, drives to the basket around San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, spins to the basket in front of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson, left, talks with guard Blake Wesley (14) at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram, left, reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, right, bats him away as he runs down the clock during the final seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
点击查看原文：3 Takeaways as Rockets vex Wembanyama again
3 Takeaways as Rockets vex Wembanyama again
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON – Long before they were coaching adversaries, Houston’s Ime Udoka and the Spurs’ Mitch Johnson were tennis partners.
The two were assistants on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio beginning in 2016, and spent much of their downtime together on a different kind of court.
As far as tennis rivalries go, it wasn’t exactly Connors-McEnroe
“I beat him every time,” Udoka said.
Johnson calls Udoka’s tales of tennis grandeur a bit exaggerated.
“I don’t think anybody’s ever beat Ime at anything,” Johnson said, “according to Ime.”
The two coaches squared off against Wednesday at the Toyota Center, with Johnson serving as the Spurs’ acting coach in place of the ailing Popovich.
Udoka once again got one over on his old friend, as the Rockets cruised to a 127-100 start-to-finish victory.
Fred VanVleet scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half and added 10 assists, and Jalen Green notched 21 points of his own as Houston leaped out to a 30-19 lead and never looked back.
The Spurs got 15 points and three blocks from Victor Wembanyama, who once again struggled with his jump shot. No other Spurs player scored more than Julian Champagnie’s 13.
The going has gotten tough for the Spurs since the end of the first quarter of Monday’s 113-104 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. Since outscoring the Clippers 40-14 in the opening frame of that game, the Spurs have been whipped by a total of 62 points over the next seven quarters.
The Spurs trailed Houston 63-38 at half en route to their most lopsided loss of the season, never really fighting back after the Rockets’ opening flurry.
“We have to respond next game,” said Champagnie, whose team finishes a back-to-back against Portland on Thursday at the Frost Bank Center. “There’s no choice.”
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s defeat in Houston, which dropped the Spurs to 3-5:
1. Once again, Rockets’ toughness won the day
Having played Houston four times already, including once in the preseason, the Spurs knew what to expect heading into Wednesday.
Namely, they knew the Rockets were going to test their mettle early to see how they reacted.
“That’s a physical team,” Champagnie said. “A lot of times, they start off games doing just that to see how teams respond.”
The Spurs did not respond well.
Midway through the second quarter, the Spurs were 10 of 29 from the field, 2 of 10 from 3-point range and had coughed up 11 turnovers.
Perhaps not surprisingly, they were behind by 20.
Familiarity with Houston’s style of play did not seem to help the Spurs much.
“I don’t think either of us were coming in tonight trying to be too tricky,” Johnson said. “They knew probably what we were trying to do. We knew what they were trying to do. Give them credit, they executed their stuff better than we did.”
It didn’t help the Spurs much they were without one of their toughest players in Jeremy Sochan.
The last time the Spurs and Rockets met, Sochan got into with VanVleet as they left the Frost Bank Center floor. The Rockets guard apparently took umbrage to Sochan’s “(screw) Houston” comment earlier in the week.
With Sochan sidelined with a broken thumb suffered in Los Angeles, the Spurs entered Wednesday at a toughness deficit.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) puts up a shot in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
2. Castle’s first NBA start was OK, if unremarkable
Spurs rookie Stephon Castle will always remember Wednesday’s game as his first NBA start, even if his final stat line was forgettable.
The No. 4 overall pick blended in with the starting group, posting five points and zero assists. He also had zero turnovers and picked up three steals, testament to his activity on defense.
If there were butterflies brewing, Castle did not acknowledge them.
“I’m pretty calm,” Castle said. “I know our assignments. I trust in our strategies, trust in our guys on the court. There’s not much to get really amped up about.
Castle entered the starting lineup Wednesday as Sochan’s replacement. His time there should be short-lived.
Shooting guard Devin Vassell, who is coming off summertime foot surgery, is expected to make his debut soon, perhaps as early as Saturday against Utah.
When that happens, it should be back to the bench for Castle.
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
3. Houston continues to pester Wemby
Dating to last season, no team has harassed Wembanyama quite like the Rockets.
Houston tends to try and defend the Spurs’ 7-foot-3 center with pugnacious small forward Dillon Brooks, then sending bodies at him every time he catches the ball.
Heading into Wednesday, Wembanyama had faced Houston six times in his career, more than any other opponent. He averaged 17 points in those games, shooting 44.8%.
He had also committed 24 turnovers against the Rockets, more than any other team.
“They’re physical,” Johnson said. “I think we knew that coming in. They’re good at it. We’ve tried to give Victor and the whole team some solutions to help them with that, put them in spots. It’s something we just got to keep working on.”
Wembanyama was mostly flummoxed again Wednesday, going 6 of 14 from the floor with an additional four turnovers. As has been a running issue throughout this season, most of Wembanyama’s misfires came from 3-point range, where he was 1-for-6.
The Spurs do not face the Rockets again until the end of their Rodeo Road Trip in February. More than anyone, Wembanyama could probably use the break from Houston’s bruising brand of defense.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the dunk attempt by Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the dunk attempt by Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, right, reaches in as he jumps to block the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) dunks the ball over San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, reaches in to break up the play during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, loses the ball on a drive to the basket as San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reaches in during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, center, checks the scoreboard as he talks with forward Tari Eason (17) and guard Jalen Green (4) at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up to pass the ball as Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, center, drives to the basket between Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, left, drives around Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) and San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham (22) chase a loose ball after it was knocked away by Landale during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, right, drives to the basket around San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, spins to the basket in front of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson, left, talks with guard Blake Wesley (14) at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram, left, reaches for the ball as Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, right, bats him away as he runs down the clock during the final seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News