⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Spurs got 11 points ahead of the pace we expected in the third quarter and stayed there.
Where it moved
▲ SA better than we expected
▼ MIN better than we expected
The third quarter was where it moved most, 11 points better than our numbers for the Spurs.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Spurs won, and why the Timberwolves did not.
From the game
Lived at the line, 37 free throws to their 26- Looked after the ball, seven turnovers to their sixteen, and outscored them 18-5 off them
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Spurs
Good plays
- 9-0 run
A 9-0 run stretched a 2-point lead to 11
Q3 8:37 · SA 54-43 MIN
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 12-point lead to 20
Q4 4:20 · SA 99-79 MIN
Bad plays
- Flagrant
Devin Brown Flagrant Foul Type 1
Q4 2:29 · SA 99-79 MIN
Timberwolves
Good plays
- 9-0 run
A 9-0 run cut a 16-point deficit to 7
Q4 11:30 · SA 74-67 MIN
Bad plays
- Missed FT
Fred Hoiberg missed Flagrant Free Throw 1 of 2.
Q4 2:29 · SA 99-79 MIN
📊The numbers
| SA | MIN | |
|---|---|---|
| 48% | Shooting from the field | 44% |
| 5 | Threes made | 2 |
| 38% | Three-point accuracy | 22% |
| 25 | Free throws made | 22 |
| 49 | Rebounds | 48 |
| 11 | Offensive rebounds | 5 |
| 20 | Assists | 15 |
| -1 | Points in the paint | -1 |
| 1 | Fast break points | 4 |
| 18 | Points off turnovers | 5 |
| 7 | Turnovers | 16 |
| 6 | Steals | 0 |
| 6 | Blocks | 0 |
