From assistant Sean Sweeney, to head coach Mitch Johnson, to Gregg Popovich, the Spurs used plenty of wisdom to their advantage in Game 2.

SAN ANTONIO – Any time a road team gets a victory to start a playoff series, they can feel content with what they did, knowing that if they take care of business at home, they can now win the series.

Young or not, Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio teammates already have developed a resiliency that can serve well a team with championship dreams.

These are not the Nuggets. A series ago, Minnesota could play poorly for stretches, not entirely pay for it and still be within striking distance to crank the dial up and seize the affair when a dominant stretch of play.

Over the past three postseasons, Minnesota has made it a habit of getting blown out in at least one game of seven straight playoff series.