Bassey’s rim protection comes up big in win
MIAMI — Charles Bassey’s shot-blocking skills figured prominently in the Spurs finally putting together a strong defensive showing and snapping their 11-game losing streak.
The second-year pro and former St. Anthony star matched a career high with four blocks in the Spurs’ 118-109 win over Houston on Thursday.
Bassey had two rejections in the third period when the Spurs outscored the Rockets 39-23 to take control.
It was just the second time in their past 12 games that the Spurs, who have an Nba-worst 118.8 defensive rating, have held a foe under 110 points.
Logging 21 minutes off the bench in a performance Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called “Charles’ best night,” Bassey also had 10 points while going 3 of 3 from the field and 4 of 4 from the line along with five rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“He was more comfortable offensively,” Popovich said. “Defensively and rebounding-wise, he was fantastic.”
Bassey leads the Spurs with 1.3 blocks per game, collecting many with well-timed weak-side swats that showcase his vertical leap and 7-foot-3 wingspan.
“I take pride in playing defense,” he said.
Forward Keldon Johnson said the Spurs used “good ball pressure” to funnel the Rockets toward the 22-year-old Nigerian.
“We just bring ’em right to him, and he sends ’em right away,” Johnson said.
Collins comes back after hitting head
Big man Zach Collins gave the Spurs and their fans a scare in the third quarter when his head slammed against the court while defending the Rockets’ Alperen Sengun at the rim.
Sengun threw down a vicious dunk against Collins after racing downcourt in transition, but the 6-foot-11, 255-pound Turkish center was whistled for an offensive foul on the play, which was upheld by review.
Collins went to the locker room after he was slow to get up but returned to start the fourth quarter.
“He takes some hits,” Spurs forward Doug Mcdermott said of the 6-11, 245-pound Collins. “That’s just who Zach is. He is a tough guy, the enforcer, the guy who will get right back up after he gets knocked down. It was a heck of a play.”
Popovich said he enjoys Collins’ “nasty game.”
“We don’t have a lot of people who play like that. We have really nice guys,” Popovich said. “But Zach gives us a little bit of nastiness out there, and you need some of that.”
Richardson remains a fan of Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra never wants the story to be about himself, and that’s something Spurs guard Josh Richardson deeply admires about the Heat coach.
“He is very humble,” Richardson said. “He comes from the video room, the very bottom of the bottom, so he’s seen it all. There is no ego about him.”
In that sense, Spoelstra is a lot like Popovich.
“It’s a great program the Heat have, and it’s kind of like here, very disciplined, detail-oriented and gritty,” Richardson said.
Richardson should know. The eighth-year pro is in his second season playing for Popovich after spending his first four under Spoelstra’s tutelage.
Like Popovich, Spoelstra treats all his players the same, according to Richardson.
“He doesn’t care if you are the first guy or the 15th guy,” Richardson said