Highlights: Spurs’ impressive 4th quarter turnaround sparks win versus Raptors

Coming off an impressive win against the East-leading Detroit Pistons, the Spurs traveled north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the Spurs generating offense through fast-paced ball movement, resulting in open shots. Devin Vassell’s hot shooting continued, and Dylan Harper started six of six from the field. The Raptors’ offense came from transition threes, points off turnovers, and tough midrange jumpers from all-stars Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.

After trailing the Raptors by two at the half, the Spurs’ shooting turned ice cold in the third quarter. The Spurs’ deficit climbed to 15 points during the third, and they were outscored by the Raptors 31-21 in the quarter. However, in the fourth quarter, the script flipped. The Spurs buckled down defensively and took the lead back. After a clutch three from Victor Wembanyama and a ridiculous behind-the-backboard floater from De’Aaron Fox, the Raptors cut their deficit to two following a goaltending call on Julian Champagnie. With 16 seconds remaining, Dylan Harper was at the free-throw line. After missing both free throws, he somehow ended up getting his own rebound and passed the ball to Fox. After Fox was fouled, he split his free throws. On the Raptors next possession, Immanuel Quickley was fouled by Harper. Quickley split his free throws, and after a timeout from the Spurs, Wemby was fouled. Wemby also split his free throws, and the Raptors had one more chance to send the game into overtime. Ingram’s three-point attempt hit the side of the backboard, and Wemby grabbed the board. After throwing it into the frontcourt, time expired. The Spurs won 110-107.

Vassell led the way with 21 points (8-13 FG, 5-6 3PT), five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. In his last two games, Dev has shot just under 67% from the field and just under 71% from three. His hot shooting has been quite the x-factor for this young, contending team. One of the more fascinating things about his game is after he gets his defender in the air on a pump fake from three, he takes one dribble into the midrange and pulls up. Moves like that seem to be a lost art in today’s NBA. After battling injuries this season, Dev’s hot streak is a great sign for the rest of the season.

De’Aaron Fox dropped 20 points (8-15 FG), two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Despite having his worst career game from the free-throw line (2-8 FT), Fox gave the team key buckets from everywhere on the court. From tough turnaround jumpers to floaters in the paint, Fox showed off his quickness and finesse against a tough Raptors squad. Fox is the only Spur that has started every game he’s played in this season, and he will look to continue to lead the team’s offensive attack along with the young guards.

Too quick for Quickley! Fox beats Quickley to the cup with a between-the-legs crossover move!

D3’AARON! Fox shows off the accuracy from the corner for three!

Made you look! Fox catches the ball on the bounce in transition and fakes out Barnes for the easy layup!

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! Fox regains his composure before going out of bounds and throws up a clutch high arcing floater from behind the backboard!

Here’s another look at the degree of difficulty!

Dylan Harper dropped 15 points (7-11 FG), seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. As stated earlier, Dyl started hot from the field, shooting six for six. His first three highlights are all from the first quarter, scoring in unique ways. His slashing ability and handles are elite for a 19-year-old rookie; it is simply incredible. Besides his ability to score, his playmaking ability shows the potential for him to lead any offense in the league. He had himself a rookie moment late in the game, missing both of his free throws, but completely redeemed himself by grabbing his own miss for another opportunity for the team to close out the game.

HARP3R! Dyl and Keldon Johnson play the two-man game, and it results in an open three for Dyl!

STAR TYPE OF PLAY! Dyl takes Jamison Battle one-on-one with back-to-back crafty moves: a behind-the-back dribble into a hopstep for the layup off the glass for two!

FLY HIGH! After the Wemby deflection, Dyl leaks out on the fastbreak for a clear runway slam!

DEJA VU? After Fox beat Quickley to the cup earlier, Dyl splits several Raptors defenders for the easy and open layup!

Points off turnovers! After the steal by Fox in the backcourt, Dyl finds an open Carter Bryant for three!

HOW?! Dyl spins off of RJ Barrett, and drops it off between Jakob Poeltl and him for an open Luke Kornet slam!

Stephon Castle dropped 13 points, five assists, three rebounds, and a steal. After shutting down Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Steph had to guard multiple Raptors. After playing tight defense on one end, Steph dished out dimes and created offense by draining middies and threes. Even though Dyl had a more efficient game, Steph’s frame and toughness allows him to played when the team needs a stop. Coach Mitch Johnson will continue to cycle through the young guards as this team continues to gel before the playoffs.

TOUGH! Steph fights off the tough defense from Barnes and pulls up from midrange for the deuce!

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF! Steph dribbles up the court and speeds past Barnes and Poeltl for the sky-high jam!

AREA 51! Steph finds Wemby cutting off the slip-screen for the lob connection!

Victor Wembanyama dropped 12 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, three assists, and a steal. Vic struggled from the field (3-12 FG, 1-6 3PT) as the Raptors played him physically. Despite the offensive struggles, Vic locked down the paint defensively. From his five blocks, one of them came off a Barnes three-point attempt. Despite missing several games earlier in the year, Vic leads the league in total blocks with 254. He still has an opportunity to qualify for awards this season, as there are 24 games left in the season. He can only afford to miss three more games. If he qualifies, it’s safe to say he will win his first-ever Defensive Player of the Year award, alongside making All-NBA 1st Team and All-Defensive 1st Team.

Hook, line, and sinker! Vic baits Barnes by having his back turned to the dunk attempt, just for him to quickly turn and block the dunk! The sequence results in a Champagnie three!

Wemby dime! On the fastbreak, Wemby throws a leading bounce pass to KJ who finishes through contact at the rim!

Throw it up to the sky! The Spurs catch the Raptors falling asleep on defense as Julian finds a cutting Wemby for the alley-oop!

TOO EASY! Wemby blocks Collin Murray-Boyles’ shot WITHOUT JUMPING!

Too open to miss! In transition, Vic catches the pass from Fox and almost immediately passes it to a wide open Julian in the corner for the trey!

Here’s all five of Wemby’s ridiculous blocks, including one in the clutch!

This game had a chance to get ugly in the third, but the resilience of this young team continues to power through adversity during this win streak! Hammering home the philosophy of getting stops first, and then the offense will come, powered the silver and black’s comeback. Even though the result was a win, one thing that this team will be sure to practice before the next game: FREE THROWS. The team shot 13-23 from the line and missed key ones in the final minute that would have clinched the win earlier. Nonetheless, the win streak now stands at 10 before the quick turnaround to Brooklyn.

Finally, here are the full game higlights.

The Spurs travel to Brooklyn on a SEGABABA to take on the Nets at 6:30 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.