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San Antonio Spurs: Davis Bertans just played the game of his life

By Rob Wolkenbrod

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 21: Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs stretches before the game against the Utah Jazz on DECEMBER 21, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 21: Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs stretches before the game against the Utah Jazz on DECEMBER 21, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If you spent Monday night watching the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Davis Bertans put on a show for the San Antonio Spurs.

When the 2017-18 season started, Davis Bertans failed to be part of the rotation. With the signing of Rudy Gay, it gave the San Antonio Spurs a different look at the stretch four. So, Bertans did not play in four of the first nine games of the campaign.

Since then, whether it was for mere seconds, the Latvian forward appeared in every game. Although he didn’t have a standout performance, injuries and the need for bench scoring kept him in the rotation.

However, Monday night’s game vs. the Sacramento Kings was a breakout game for Bertans, one you may have missed with the College Football Playoff National Championship on ESPN.

In a season-high 31 minutes, the 25-year-old had the performance of his life. He shot 11-for-15 from the field, knocking down 3-pointer after 3-pointer, which resulted in a 6-for-9 mark from behind the arc. That included two big shots in the final few minutes of the quarter, keeping the Spurs on pace with the Kings.

Have a night, Davis! @DBertans_42 set a new career-high with 28 tonight. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/4UMKeRBxqb

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 9, 2018

Bertans captained this 61-44 second-half comeback, and provided the Spurs a big win to start the back half of the season. Plus, it was an opportunity to enter a two-day break with momentum.

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What will this do for the 2011 NBA Draft pick? Injuries continue to mount for the Spurs, including Gay’s right heel bursitis and Kawhi Leonard‘s left shoulder strain. Both remain concerns, especially the latter’s since it just occurred in Friday’s game. It allows for the next man to step up, again, much like Kyle Anderson did from October to December. The same for Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes.

So, expect Bertans to stay in the rotation for as long as the team needs him. That will be over fellow big man Joffrey Lauvergne, who was a “DNP-Coach’s Decision” vs. Sacramento. There’s offensive upside with the two-year pro, which the Spurs can continue to tap into. 28-point games won’t be the norm. If he can replace at least a chunk of Gay and Leonard’s scoring production, it’s a win for a team that needs to help LaMarcus Aldridge (he scored 31 points on 13-for-20 shooting).

Next: Top 25 players in Spurs history

What a night from Bertans. Can he top it?

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