The San Antonio Spurs spread out the 2022-23 season in opposition to the LaMelo Ball-less Charlotte Hornets Wednesday evening on the AT&T Center. Sporting some slick fiftieth anniversary jerseys, the Spurs started a rebuilding 12 months by honoring the previous, as San Antonio legend was once known for his Hall of Fame induction at halftime.
But in spite of a livid comeback in the 3rd quarter, deficient capturing and an total loss of offensive consistency plagued the Spurs in a 129-102 season-opening blowout loss at house. The Spurs shot an abysmal 7-34 from 3-point vary and dedicated 15 turnovers.
Charlotte was once led by guard Terry Rozier with 24 issues, six rebounds, and 6 assists. Keldon Johnson posted a double-double in the season opener, main the Spurs with 20 issues and 11 rebounds on 3-7 capturing from deep.
The Spurs stumbled out to a 25-14 deficit in the primary quarter and could not purchase a bucket.
On the sure facet of items, San Antonio wasn’t hesitant to let it fly from deep in the primary quarter, however the rim wasn’t in settlement — till Doug McDermott entered the fold.
Right off the bench, the veteran sharpshooter easily hit back-to-back 3s to chop Charlotte’s result in 25-20 with 3 mins left in the primary. Still, those had been the one 3-point makes for San Antonio in the primary 12 mins along side seven turnovers because the Spurs trailed 38-22 on the finish of the primary.
But it was once 10 issues apiece from Kelly Oubre, Nick Richards, and Rozier helped ignite Charlotte to an 8-0 run and 23-point lead halfway via the second one quarter.
This lead ballooned to as massive as 25, a deficit the Spurs sooner or later lower to 18. A deep 3-pointer by Rozier in the ultimate seconds of the part made gave Charlotte a 68-47 lead headed into the locker room.
At the part, Rozier led all scorers with 13 issues whilst McDermott led the Spurs with 12 issues off the bench. Jakob Poeltl added 10 issues and 6 rebounds.
But in spite of the massive deficit, the Spurs had been sizzling popping out of the locker room. Three 3s from Johnson made it a 85-75 lead halfway during the 3rd, however that the was once closest San Antonio would get, as a 13-0 Hornets run to near the quarter left any comeback hopes in the mud.
A brutal ultimate duration noticed the Spurs get outscored 31-27 however trailed by as many as 35, as trainer Gregg Popovich unloaded his bench.
San Antonio falls to 0-1 to start out the 12 months and can talk over with the Indiana Pacers on Friday for the primary highway sport of the season.
You can observe Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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