The San Antonio Spurs are doing quite well since Victor Wembanyama suffered a calf injury in mid-November. They improved to 4-1 after beating the Portland Trail Blazers 115-102 on Wednesday. Dylan Harper’s return from a calf strain has helped the Spurs, but there are trends worth noting in the team’s impressive record without Wemby.The Spurs have stronger tests down the road, though. They will face the Denver Nuggets in Mile High City on Friday before visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves two nights later. It will be interesting to see how a few emerging trends could determine how they fare against both Western Conference powerhouses.3 key points in Spurs’ last five games sans Victor Wembanyama#3. Spurs have made a living in the paintOne would think that the San Antonio Spurs’ inside production would have suffered without their 7-foot-5 superstar. Instead, the Spurs are thriving in the paint behind their relentless drives to the rim.During their 4-1 stretch, they averaged 50.8 points per game in the paint and outscored opponents in that area 254-228. De’Aaron Fox has been key in this area as he could drive to the basket almost at will. Fox creates for himself or set up teammates when he is within a few feet from the basket.Victor Wembanyama is out, but the Spurs have been productive in the shaded line.#2. Spurs are capitalizing on fastbreak opportunitiesThe Spurs have been opportunistic in transition behind the speedy Fox. In their last five games without Victor Wembanyama, they have outscored opponents off the break 60-45.With Wemby, a walking mismatch in set plays, sidelined, Mitch Johnson has urged his team to attack quickly before the defense settles. More often than not, they have earned good possessions by pushing the ball more.Dylan Harper’s return can make the Spurs even more dangerous in transition.#1. Backup point guard play has been crucial without Victor WembanyamaIn Victor Wembanyama’s absence, the Spurs are unsurprisingly relying on De’Aaron Fox to keep them afloat. The lefty guard has been playing like an All-Star without the Frenchman. How the Spurs have survived in Fox-less minutes is a key reason they have lost just once since Wemby went down with an injury.In a 135-126 win against the Atlanta Hawks almost a week ago, it was David Jones Garcia who gave the team a lift. He made crucial plays on both ends and contributed 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals. San Antonio outscored Atlanta by 25 points during the unheralded guard’s 19-minute stint.Jones Garcia disappeared on Sunday, a key reason the Spurs lost 111-102 to the Phoenix Suns.On Wednesday, it was Dylan Harper who guided the team with Fox on the bench. Harper contributed seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.The rookie’s pace, playmaking and gravity helped the Spurs to a 115-102 win against the Blazers.