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Spurs Reveal Why They Want Devin Vassell Taking the Last Shot
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- Spurs Reveal Why They Want Devin Vassell Taking the Last Shot
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The San Antonio Spurs earned their first overtime win on Wednesday night, besting the Utah Jazz 117-111. Victor Wembanyama led the way for San Antonio with 36 points and 14 rebounds, settling into his shot from deep, in the paint, and from the mid-range.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The night before, the Spurs played the Sacramento Kings and came out of the gate on Wednesday looking fatigued. The Jazz ended the first quarter against the Silver and Black up by ten, and held onto a lead for the vast majority of the first three quarters.
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Heading into the fourth frame, the Spurs had managed to tie it up, although it was clear that Utah still held most of the momentum. In order to find the team a groove and put some points on the board, Mitch Johnson kept calling Devin Vassell's number, to much success.
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Spurs Have Supreme Trust in Devin Vassell
Play after play, the Spurs found Devin Vassell. He made four of his five shots inside the arc in the fourth and did not attempt a single 3-point shot. Instead, Dylan Harper and Wembanyama took turns finding him for easy buckets.
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"He was tremendous for us," summed up Keldon Johnson. "He got some nice buckets, he got some big rebounds, he made some big shots. Made great decisions. He did everything we needed him to do for us tonight to get the win."
Wembanyama is by far the best player on the Spurs, and De'Aaron Fox is a former Clutch Player of the Year, but Vassell has put himself in a position to get the ball when the Spurs need a shot to fall.
"He keeps his head down, he works his butt off each and every day," Johnson added. "He stays out to get shots, he makes sure to take care of his body. He does all the little things that a professional does."
Most superstars would demand the ball late in games, but Wembanyama knew to feed the hot hand and was more than happy to let Vassell shine. In the fourth quarter and overtime, Vassell posted 12 points, sealing the win for San Antonio.
"We've got full trust in him, and we know it's a guy we like the ball to find him in these moments," said Wembanyama.
