Spurs can crush Timberwolves in Game 2 if Wembanyama makes a subtle change

The Timberwolves unleashed a relentless attack plan against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in Game 1 of the semifinals. They got 12 thousand shots blocked, but they converted enough of them and wore the Alien out by the fourth quarter—though his 16 straight minutes played to end the game didn't help. However, a subtle adjustment to the blocking strategy in the vein of Tim Duncan should help.

Besides pure greatness, another thing Wembanyama has in common with the Big Fundamental is his ability to block shots without fouling. But he still expels too much energy if he's going to go after everything. Duncan figured out a way to protect the rim effectively without jumping very high, if at all. That's a trick Wemby could use to flip the Wolves' game plan on its head.

Wembanyama can do two things at once

San Antonio's counter to Minnesota's downhill mindset doesn't have to shift too much here. You still don't want them to get hot from three because they're capable, so going over screens and funneling them into the paint to force contested mid-range jumpers is preferable. When they drive to the bucket, Wemby can conserve energy and protect the rim simultaneously by timing his blocks better.

The towering Frenchman has an 8'0" reach with a 9'7" standing reach. He's nearly touching the rim with both feet firmly planted. That's astronomical length that Duncan didn't have, but he figured out how to be one of the best rim protectors in the league every year. Wembanyama can do the same, and if he masters it, he should have plenty left for the offensive side of the ball.

Wembanyama's gravity must be used on both ends of the floor

Vic's 0/8 shooting is one thing. Sometimes you have off-shooting nights, and there's not much you can do to change that, except stop chunking them up. That's on the player and the coach to adjust. Wemby didn't spend enough time fighting for position inside. Some of that is the Timberwolves' defense. They don't want him inside, but that's the chess match you play in the postseason.

Minnesota has been physical with No. 1, pushing him off his spots and crowding him, but that's not something the Spurs haven't seen before. The answer can't be to allow the best player on the team to settle all night. That played right into the sixth seed's hands.

The great news is that with all the bad San Antonio displayed that game, they lost by the skin of their teeth. They missed open shots, turned the ball over uncharacteristically, and didn't take advantage of the Wolves' personnel changes when Rudy Gobert sat. All of that should change. The Silver and Black have been excellent at getting back to Spurs basketball when they slip. Game 2 will be no different.

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