San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves squared off three times in the same week before October was even off, splitting the first two meetings — so who would turn up the defense to claim the third match-up? That would be the Spurs, who utilized a multi-faceted attack to rattle the Timberwolves. Zach Collins and Doug McDermott used blocks to prevent Anthony Edwards and Bryn Forbes from scoring, while Jakob Poeltl and Romeo Langford each get stingy with steals to deny D’Angelo Russell and Jaden McDaniels. Minnesota had no luck getting into any kind of rhythm, as Keldon Johnson gives one of the best shot blockers in the league a taste of his own medicine when he denies Rudy Gobert with an emphatic rejection. The Spurs picked up six steals and seven blocks while forcing the Wolves into a dismal 4-for-29 night beyond the arc in the 107-98 victory on October 30, 2022, San Antonio’s fifth in seven games to open the 2022-23 season.