The San Antonio Spurs entered their 2021-22 campaign with low expectations after losing key veteran players like DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay. Their priorities were developing their young players and improving the team chemistry of youngsters such as Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Keldon Johnson.
After suffering six successive defeats in November, the Spurs have completed four remarkable victories over playoff teams in the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors. They are currently only one and a half games behind the 10th-seeded Blazers. As the Spurs aim to extend their win streak, here are reasons for the recent surge.
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Reasons for San Antonio Spurs' winning streak
3. Defense has been sensational
The Spurs are third in the Association in defensive rating over the last four games, anchored by towering center Jakob Poeltl. Murray and White are phenomenal perimeter defenders as well because of their length and quickness at their position.
Poeltl is averaging three rejections over this streak and is an important paint protector with the four wings head coach Gregg Popovich starts. Additionally, Murray and White have tallied a combined 3.1 steals, prompting easy transition buckets. Their other rotational pieces are also excelling defensively, limiting Stephen Curry and Bradley Beal to 7-of-28 and 8-of-21 shooting, respectively.
As players are immensely talented at the NBA stage, the Spurs have found their own niche on the defensive end, but the challenge is for them to sustain it over the course of the season.
2. Taking care of the ball
San Antonio has only committed 11.8 turnovers over the last four games, while also tallying the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio over that span at 2.23. Preventing opponents from running the break and making layups and dunks gives them the chance to set up their defense every possession.
With a young roster under the tutelage of Popovich, it's terrific for him to impart a mature style of play to them as they continue growing and evolving their skill set. The Spurs don't have the most offensive talent in the league, so taking care of the ball is important, and they're doing it right now.
1. Dejounte Murray's leadership
As this is already his fifth season (excluding the season he tore his ACL), Murray's improvement and performance on both ends of the floor have been incredible. He is finally being noticed by more NBA fans because his averages are close to a triple-double this season. Moreover, he is an underrated candidate for the Most Improved Player Award this season.
More than the stats, Murray even took over in clutch time against the Celtics, even outperforming the talented duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His outside shooting prowess has opened up opportunities for his teammates who cut through the paint or spot up from behind the arc. Murray has increased his field goals made to eight per game, all while dishing it out at a career-high 8.2 assists per game.
With the Western Conference being busy and chaotic, San Antonio could surprise the league by competing in the play-in tournament. With the continuous performance and potential with numerous players from their lineup, they could catapult themselves to a higher level because of the leadership and guidance of Popovich.
Murray may still need to rise a notch higher to reach franchise player status, but the other pieces complement his game well. Through the point guard duties of Murray, the numbers of others like White, Johnson, and Poeltl have improved as well. The future of San Antonio is bright with this young core.
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