Bulls’ Tiago Splitter Talks Impossible Victor Wembanyama Challenge in Spurs Test
A daunting matchup awaits
Chicago’s difficult start continues against the reigning Western Conference champions. The Bulls showed improved offensive cohesion against Philadelphia on Sunday, but the article questions how well that progress will hold up against Wembanyama.
The 22-year-old arrives after scoring 40 points and collecting 11 rebounds in 25 minutes against Phoenix. It was his second game with at least 40 points and 11 rebounds in four outings.
Chicago gets a defensive option
Nic Claxton returned this weekend after missing the preseason and Chicago’s first eight games with a hamstring strain. Alongside Jalen Smith and Zach Collins, he gives the Bulls more big men to use against Wembanyama.
Claxton may still face a strict minutes limit. Chicago has conceded 53.6 points in the paint per game, the NBA’s third-highest figure; San Antonio averages 53.8, second-most in the league.
Splitter urges spacing and movement
Splitter said Chicago should avoid taking shots directly at the rim, move the ball around Wembanyama and look for corner threes. He also wants the Bulls to play quickly and reach the paint before the Spurs center can get there.
“To beat the Spurs, you have to shoot the ball well from three,” Splitter said. He added that Chicago must make Wembanyama leave the paint and spread the floor rather than repeatedly challenging him inside.
Three-point shooting remains a concern
The Bulls take the NBA’s fifth-most three-point attempts per game but make only 27.2 percent, the league’s lowest rate. They have surpassed 40 percent from beyond the arc once in nine games and have made no more than 10 threes in each of their last three.
Chicago is not certain to be overwhelmed: it competed with Philadelphia and had similar results against the Knicks in recent weeks. Still, the team’s shooting and paint defense make Wednesday’s matchup a difficult test.
Key points
- Chicago enters Wednesday’s game with a 1-8 record.
- Wembanyama scored 40 points and had 11 rebounds against Phoenix in 25 minutes.
- The Bulls allow 53.6 points in the paint per game, while the Spurs average 53.8.
- Chicago is shooting 27.2 percent on three-pointers, the lowest rate in the NBA.