Henderson, NV – The G League Ignite took on the Austin Spurs Tuesday night time on the Greenback Mortgage Middle. The Ignite have been with out two of their high gamers – Izan Almansa was out with an sickness and Ron Holland was rested – because the Ignite misplaced a heartbreaking 105-104 contest. The Spurs have been with out Dominick Barlow and Mamadi Diakite, who’re with Austin’s guardian membership, the San Antonio Spurs.
The Ignite missed Holland and Almansa’s presence within the paint, because the Spurs almost doubled the house staff in factors within the paint (30-16) and have been dominant on the boards (28-17 edge, 11 offensive). The Ignite have been in a position to counteract that with some sizzling capturing from past the arc (8-18, 44.4%) and strong capturing from the ground (21-41, 51.2%). The Spurs couldn’t get out of their very own approach, turning the ball over 10 instances and committing 12 fouls in comparison with the Ignite’s six in every class. Austin would pull down two offensive rebounds and former West Virginia guard Erik Stevenson would hit a 3 to chop the Ignite’s result in simply 5 with 3:06 remaining within the first half, however the dwelling staff would have a 56-49 lead at half.
The second half was a distinct story for the Spurs, who would minimize the deficit to 4 factors with 6:24 to go within the third quarter. Stevenson would rating 10 of his 24 factors within the quarter, together with a number of three-pointers to maintain Austin in it. Austin would by no means have a lead greater than 4 factors, however all they wanted was another level on the finish.
Nonetheless, two technical fouls – one on Spurs’ head coach Will Voigt and the opposite on former Fresno State guard Paul Watson Jr. – would halt the Spurs’ momentum. The Ignite would convert each of the free throws for 4 factors and maintain onto their reducing lead every time.
Stevenson stored Austin in it, however it was former Florida State ahead RaiQuan Grey who was constant all sport for the Spurs, together with the go-ahead basket with six seconds left. Grey would end with a team-high 28 factors and 9 rebounds to associate with 5 steals and 4 blocks. Julian Washburn (12 factors) and Yauhen Massalski (10 factors) have been the opposite Spurs gamers to complete in double figures.
Grey specifically was very spectacular, offering well timed bucket after well timed bucket and scoring from all around the ground. At 6’7” and 269 lbs., he used each little bit of his measurement to bully his approach into the paint, making whoever the Ignite threw at him look small.
For the Ignite, 5 gamers completed in double figures – projected first spherical picks Matas Buzelis and Tyler Smith, former Washington State ahead Will Davis, former NBA veteran John Jenkins and former Gonzaga guard Admon Gilder. Jenkins was tied for the staff lead in factors with 19, however it was Buzelis who actually shone. Buzelis would end with a game-high 15 rebounds to associate with two blocks, continuously rotating to supply help-side protection together with trying to push the ball in transition. Buzelis was additionally tied for probably the most made free throws within the sport with Austin’s Stevenson with 4.
Former NBA champion Norris Cole was a steadying presence for the Ignite, ending with eight assists when the Ignite wanted them most.
The Ignite are proper again at it at dwelling tomorrow, identical begin time – 7 p.m. PST – this time towards the Iowa Wolves. The Spurs don’t play once more till Friday and can tackle the Sioux Falls Skyforce on the Sanford Pentagon at 8 p.m. EST.
This text was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You may observe us on Fb, or on twitter.
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