Four games later, Spurs’ early defensive problems stem from not defending the 3

At first glance it seems like the San Antonio Spurs excel on the defensive side of the ball.

Through four games, they have scored just under 110 points per game – good enough for the top 10 in the NBA. In San Antonio’s last three games, they have held their opponents to 106, 106 and 105 points.

However, there is a deeper problem behind these statistics. The Spurs have allowed 64 three-pointers (t-23rd) and a 3-point percentage of 39.3 (27th). Considering San Antonio was within striking distance in each of its first four games, the inability to effectively defend the three-point line was particularly costly.

READ MORE: Spurs torched from 3, but find Silver Linings vs. Mavericks

It’s not just the three-point skills of the opposition as a whole that are worrying; individual shootings have plagued the Spurs. In their season opener, Klay Thompson shot 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. His last two 3s, both of which came as the Mavericks were pulling away, were the result of defensive miscommunication by the Spurs.

Two games later, Jalen Green went 7-for-13 from 3-point range. Note that three of his triples were aided by a Spur failing to get over an on-ball screen. Elsewhere, Fred VanVleet hit a dagger from deep with just under 20 seconds left, giving the Rockets a lead of four.

On that play, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson trapped Green off a ball screen, and Malaki Branham couldn’t turn from the left wing in time to effectively contest VanVleet’s shot.

Ultimately, Lu Dort torched the Spurs for six three-pointers in just eight attempts in what was largely a Thunder rout. San Antonio lost track of Dort several times, both in the half court and in transition.

Promisingly, Spurs have given themselves a chance with their collective defense in this young season. What undermines that promise, however, is their inability to defend three-pointers, an issue that will need to be resolved if they want to make a surprise trip to the postseason.

There is still a lot of work to be done in that area.

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