Spurs overpower Pistons in clash of NBA's form teams
Sitting second in the Western Conference, the Spurs were pushed hard for their ninth-straight victory by the East-topping Pistons, who had entered the home court matchup on a five-win streak of their own.
Defenses dominated the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the 7-foot-5 Wembanyama making six blocks and 17 rebounds to fuel transitions as the Spurs pulled clear in the latter stages.
While the Pistons' shooting was at times sloppy, Devin Vassell led the Spurs' offense, with 28 points including seven three-pointers -- as many as the entire Detroit team managed collectively.
"They tried to impose their will. We tried to get out on transition, keep getting stops, find an open man. That's what we did," said Vassell.
The Spurs had raced to a 12-point lead from tip-off. But they trailed by the end of the first quarter, setting the tone for a fiercely contested back-and-forth game.
Late in the second quarter, Cade Cunningham barged Stephon Castle to the floor, angering Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson who earned a technical foul for retaliating.
But the Pistons' defense kept them in the game, putting Wembanyama under particular pressure. The French prodigy struggled to make an offensive mark on the early action.
San Antonio took a slender lead into half-time. The contest tightened further in the third quarter.
Spurs guard Dylan Harper was slammed off the court and face-first into a cameraman.
Growing into the game, Wembanyama made multiple spectacular blocks and rebounds to propel his side up the court, as the Spurs opened a 15-point lead in the final quarter.
Jalen Duren led a late Pistons fightback, finishing with 25 points, but it ultimately fizzled as a resolute San Antonio saw out the game. Wembanyama finished with 21 points, and Julian Champagnie added another 17.
"We all play for each other. We're all super humble. All we want to do is win," said Vassell.
The hard-fought victory puts the Spurs at 41-16, still trailing the West-leading defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, at 44-14.