Spurs collapse in Dallas after Dirk's 3PTer, then bust T'Wolves.

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 siding in Dallas' favor. Leonard would miss a fadeaway at the buzzer that ended regulation, a sting of foreboding futility.

Harrison Barnes had 22 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in the home victory. Sophomore sensation Dennis Smith Jr. had 21 points with 8 assists. Likely ROY, EuroLeague sensation, and possible heir-apparent, Luka Doncic had 15 points. Lamarcus Aldridge chipped in 14 points with 8 rebounds, and DeAndre Jordan dominated the interior with 26 monstrous rebounds and 5 blocks on the Spurs. Nowitzki had 13 points with 7 rebounds.

In the harrowing loss, Kawhi Leonard had 28 points with 11 rebounds. Patty Mills had a strong game of 22 points, 10 assists on six three-point stingers. Rudy Gay contributed 15 points, 5 reboundsa nd 3 steals. Avery Bradley had just 10 points on 4-11 shooting. Joakim Noah was a far cry from Jordan with just 7 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.

Against the Timberwolves, Kawhi Leonard had 25 points with 3 steals as did his comrade Pau Gasol (25 points, 10 rebounds) along with a trio of 3PT bombs. Dejounte Murray had 12 points with 8 assists, Rudy Gay had 11 points and Avery Bradley combined with Iman Shumpert for 18 points. San Antonio held control after earning it early, winning the opening period 26-17 and never losing the scoring battle for the next three quarters, winning 105-91 on the road. The Timberwolves shot 31% by halftime, going 3/15 overall from 3PT distance with 18 turnovers in a bad effort.