MILWAUKEE, WI — The San Antonio Spurs continued their four-game road trip on Wednesday night in Milwaukee, where they would suffer a 121-105 blowout loss to the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum.
The defeat was the third straight for the Spurs, who fell below .500 for the first time in a month.
San Antonio was without Jeremy Sochan, who missed the game with back soreness. Despite a solid effort from the Spurs, Milwaukee used a 34-19 second quarter to build a 19-point lead at halftime. San Antonio came out strong in the second half, cutting the deficit to just eight points but the Bucks would extend their lead to 26 points in the fourth quarter and never looked back.
Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ loss in Milwaukee:
Bucks’ defense stifles Spurs
The Spurs struggled offensively, easily their worst performance of the season. San Antonio could not solve the Bucks’ defensive schemes as AJ Green came off the bench to score 8 points in the quarter and finished with 14 for the game.
Damian Lillard (26 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 points) combined for 51 of Milwaukee’s 121 points in the game.
“I thought their physicality got to us, even early,” said Spurs Acting Head Coach Mitch Johnson. “Our timing was off and their physicality dictated a lot of that, or our lack of – whatever lens you want to look at it through. And then I think the court kind of got slanted in terms of us being down hill, running back on defense and they were just coming at us with so much momentum.”
Vassell and Wemby’s struggles
Devin Vassell has struggled over the past over the last ten games, shooting a combined 10-for-57 from the floor. Wednesday night saw Vassell finish with just 11 points while shooting 23 percent (4-of-17).
Victor Wembanyama had a solid month of December but had a cold night in Milwaukee, cold enough to match the weather. Wemby finished with a season-low 10 points on 40 percent shooting.
“They were better than us,” Wembanyama said. “They were better basketball players tonight. We have to step up and we have to respect that team.”
“Devin is a heck of a shooter and a scorer,” Johnson said of Vassell’s struggles. “And I think it’s one of those deals where, you know, the worm will turn, as Pop will say.”
Paul turns back the clock
For the second consecutive game, Chris Paul turned back the clock and was a key part of the Spurs’ third quarter run.
Paul finished with 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds while shooting 60 percent. He scored 9 of his 18 points in the third quarter and overall, went 5-for-6 from three-point range.
Up next
The Spurs are now 18-19 on the season and will return to the court on Saturday night when they face the LA Lakers (20-16) at Crypto.com Arena.
