San Antonio Spurs (52-19) beat Phoenix Suns (39-31) 101-100 at home on Thursday, March 19. The Suns led after three quarters, but the Spurs took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Suns had the better start, winning the first 26-24 to lead by 2 after one. The Suns kept the pressure on with a 33-28 second quarter, carrying a 7-point lead into halftime.
The Spurs won the third 21-20 to stay in front, taking a 6-point lead into the fourth. The Spurs took the fourth 28-21; the Spurs completed the comeback for a 101-100 regulation win.
What decided it
The Spurs made 25.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 14.3 for the Suns. In a 1-point game, the points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Suns did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 11.1 against 14.3. The Spurs made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 99 possessions per team, the Spurs produced 102.2 points per 100 possessions to 101.2 for the Suns.
Who made the difference
Victor Wembanyama was the game's biggest individual force for SAS: 34 pts, 12 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl on 10-20 shooting. His Game Score of 29 led everyone. His team was +18 with him on the floor.
Collin Gillespie led the Suns with 24 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast on 7-13 shooting, good for a 23.1 Game Score.
Victor Wembanyama (34 pts, 12 reb, 1 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Spurs about a 85% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Phoenix Suns lead 4-2.
The Spurs are now 52-19, and the Suns are 39-31. The Spurs last five before this game: W-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.