San Antone: The Gait Toward Eight

Despite Leonard's terrific scoring, the Spurs have lost five straight. Kemba Walker (34 points, 13 assists, 8-21 FG%) came to slay, and slay the Hornets did the Spurs on the road, leading to a gut-punching defeat as San Antonio could never quite get close enough to overtake Charlotte. In another loss, Kawhi Leonard had 36 points on just 13-29 shooting. Patty Mills had 16 points with 5 assists, making four 3PTers. Avery Bradley had a better scoring night with 15 points and 2 steals but shot just 5-13 overall. Rudy Gay had 14 points and Dejounte Murray tried to step up for the team with 11 points and 8 assists. Kyle O'Quinn had 12 rebounds; Pau Gasol had eight. Charlotte scored 25-16 over the Spurs in quarter one, then 32-23 in the second, mounting advantage. They fended off the Spurs 44-41 in the final quarter, winning big by the end. Nicolas Batum had 27 points and 11 rebounds, but shot 10-27. Malik Monk had 18 points (8-17). The Spurs next host the Phoenix Suns, wi...

Kevin Durant sealed the victory for Golden State. With the win-less road trip over, the Spurs returned home and looked strong early. They found themselves in a fight with a familiar foe, however, and despite a neck-and-neck war, it was the Warriors' brief run in the final quarter that would be the difference. Patty Mills and Kawhi Leonard would make perimeter shots courtesy of Avery Bradley's steal on the ball to stay within striking distance, but they also missed a shot each that would've tied the game in the waning seconds. At halftime, the Spurs held a one-point lead, but it was Golden State shooting 57% to SA's 50%, with the Spurs winning the glass by one, both teams combining for 34 assists, a tug of war between these proficient western conference juggernauts. Leonard finished with 29 points, but shot just 3-9 from long range despite nine rebounds and three steals. Patty Mills had 26 points with 6 assists, making seven 3PT bombs. Kyle O'Quinn had a surpri...

Irving & Tatum led the rally for Boston. The Spurs had themselves a lead on the road in this contentious low-scoring game, but the resilient home team came through and took over, with Jayson Tatum making two huge 3PTers and Kyrie Irving besting Avery Bradley's defense early-on. It was Kawhi Leonard's flawless first half showing that got people talking, a shame it didn't lead to a victory. The Claw had 18 points on 8/8 shooting in just 15 minutes, the Spurs leading 34-30 at halfitme. Irving had 14 at that point. Midway through the third quarter, the Spurs went up 46-36 but then the rally took place: a 28-19 outing in the 3rd and forty points in the final quarter over 34 by the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard finished with 30 points, not getting much help from his crewmates. Patty Mills had just 11 points on an icy 3-11 performance. Avery Bradley went similarly 3-10, getting just one steal on Irving. Joakim Noah had 7 points with 10 rebounds, as did Pau Gasol, but the Spurs ...

Myles Turner had a career-high 19 rebounds in the win. The Spurs road trip got worse with another harsh loss to the Indiana Pacers, led by Myles Turner and his career high 19 rebounds and Darren Collison's 32 points. The Pacers were up big at halftime 64-42 shooting a mighty 58% over 40% by the Spurs, dominating the glass with 29 rebounds to San Antonio's 12. Tyreke Evans was the high man with 15 points at the half. An 11-0 run by the Spurs made it 58-77 to end the 3rd Quarter, but it just was not to be in this affair with San Antonio making it 81-93 midway through the final quarter after a flurry of dunks by Kawhi Leonard, including a highlight smash over Myles Turner, knocking him to the floor. Indiana took the day, though. Evans finished with 17 points; Doug McDermott had 14 points. Bojan Bogdanovic had 13 points, and Victor Oladipo had 12. The win was mostly due to a huge 33-16 effort by the Pacers in the 2nd Quarter. In the loss, the Spurs had a stronger second h...