Grading the Spurs starters in improbable upset over championship contender

Zach Collins

Zach Collins is slowly getting the three-point monkey off his back after he drilled his second trifecta of the season in the second quarter on Tuesday night. He had an efficient outing, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and playing his best basketball when the Spurs needed it most at the outset of their improbable comeback bid.

The 25-year-old center notched seven points in the third quarter to help the Silver and Black outscore Phoenix 37-32 to kick off the second half. He added four assists and three blocks to his performance, capping the contest with a +8 in the box score, which led all the starters in the plus-minus department.

The Gonzaga alumnus played 27 minutes, battling Jusuf Nurkic without getting into foul trouble. Nurkic is far from a small individual, weighing in at a reported 50 pounds heavier than Collins. That did not stop the skilled seven-footer from making life difficult for the Bosnian Beast in the heart of the paint. If Collins can keep his efficiency up and improve his shooting numbers from deep, he’ll be a force.

Grade: A-