LaMarcus Aldridge‘s unusually inefficient shooting hasn’t hampered the Spurs, who keep winning. But it bothered Aldridge, of course. So the big man’s eyes grew wide — and so did the basket — against the hapless Orlando Magic in Florida on Wednesday. After shooting below 40% most of the month, Aldridge got back on track as expected, going 10-of-13 (77%) from the field with nobody on the Magic to trouble his rhythm. For the Spurs it was a happy sight.
Aldridge has had the post largely to himself after the injury to fellow big Pau Gasol, and it was likely this adjustment period that affected his shot. Aldridge says he holds himself to a “very high standard,” and he knew that the odds dictated his touch would soon return. Playing the Magic just increased those odds by orders of magnitude, especially since the Magic shipped Serge Ibaka to Toronto before the game. Aldridge also shot 3-of-4 from the line, leading the Spurs scoring with 23 in 28 minutes in a 107-79 victory.
