San Antone: The Gait Toward Eight

Rudy Gay was on fire tonight. In a throwdown that featured subpar showings by Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook, one wouldn't expect a double overtime thriller. Thanks to Dennis Schroder (21 points, 8 assists, 3-4 3PT, 10-10 FT%) stealing the ball and hitting a clutch 3PTer at the buzzer that rattled in to notch the score at 117-all, giving the loyal fans in San Antonio some extra basketball. Twice . Before that surprising moment, Russell Westbrook's corner three crashed in to tie the game and just barely did Paul George miss his fadeaway jumper over Kawhi Leonard (24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals: 8-19/0-4 3PT). The game started well with Andre Roberson (1-6 FT%, 3-13 FG%) stifling Avery Bradley and provoking his best game this season with 25 points, featuring a huge 3PTer on the fast break alone after a Leonard block at the rim on George got him free and his own block on Westbrook, whose team was finally out of contention to win this mini-war. The

Jimmy Butler suspense aside, the Spurs recovered from a tough loss. Jimmy Butler had just 2 points on 1-6 shooting in 24 minutes, and player of the game honors went to Karl-Anthony Towns (30 points, 23 rebounds, 4 steals)  but the Spurs owned the night, muzzling the Timberwolves for a feel-good victory. After a defensive breakdown led to Dirk Nowitzki's game-tying 3PTer splashing through the net, sparking the OverTime victory by the Dallas Mavericks at home, 99-105, the Spurs needed a fast recovery having fallen to 7-7 on the season. If the playoffs were today, the defending champions would be out of the mix and that is no bueno . Kawhi's defensive scramble just wasn't quick enough. Stomping the Spurs with his 3PTer, Nowitzki watched his Mavericks take control in OverTime, spoiling a good lead by San Antonio early 24-13 that won the first quarter. Kawhi Leonard even hit a 3PTer at that buzzer. The rest of the game was split 16-21, 25-29, 23-25 and 11-17: all