Spurs endure past Nuggets, Rockets and Jazz; win streak at 26.

Gasol is still a reliable weapon for the defending champions.

Similar to the last meeting, the San Antonio Spurs got themselves into a fight with the gutsy Denver Nuggets led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but like last time, dominated the second half as the Nuggets went cold. It still took two powerful showings by Avery Bradley (31 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, 5-9 3PT) and Kawhi Leonard (30 points). Led by Pau Gasol (16 points), San Antonio's bench provided a spark of strength with Patty Mills splashing in five threes and dishing five assists as Iman Shumpert notched 12 points and Joakim Noah lorded the paint with 14 rebounds. The Spurs won 102-129 after a 38-21 third quarter stomping.

Leonard's ferocious dunks has fueled the streak.

Next, the Spurs blasted the Houston Rockets 101-127 to exact revenge on the last encounter between them. This time around, James Harden had an awful night and found himself in rare foul trouble, killing Houston's chances, especially with Chris Paul struggling also.

Now, amidst bouts with adversity and doubts of its resilience, only one game against the visiting Phoenix Suns separates the champion Spurs from possibly still being undefeated for their second meeting with the Golden State Warriors this season, the final challenge before All*Star Weekend festivities. San Antonio led 32-19 after the first quarter, with Kawhi Leonard on fire early, providing the Kawhi Effect: the Rockets went down by 22 points and Leonard scored 22 points, hot after splashing a three then and-1 drive to the basket. Bogging down and disturbing Houston's ideally-fluid offensive strategy, San Antone swiped steals and Houston's overall spirit on the court tonight. The Rocket made a brief run in the second quarter, but it was not to last as the lead grew to 49-33, then wound up being a thirty point spread, calming down to 99-71 to end the third quarter.

The team effort: Avery Bradley had 17 points with 7 assists, Iman Shumpert had 17 points off the bench in his versatile SG/SF role and Skal Labissiere had 14 points with 7 rebounds. Patty Mills contributed 11 points and 5 assists; and Kyle O'Quinn yanked down 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, for Houston Chris Paul went 4-12 and Harden had three turnovers going 2-8 from 3PT territory.

Kyle Korver still proves to be deadly in close games.

"It was a really good game, a close game, a fun game. [laughs] We almost got 'em. Glad I was able to help my team on that big run. Just wasn't enough. There's always a next time," sharpshooter Kyle Korver said post-game as the Jazz narrowly fell to the Spurs 112-114 in Texas. A wild finish ensued after a "gritty, old school basketball" viewing experience took place for fans tonight. Korver was responsible for 13 points and hitting a trio of would-be daggers, putting the Jazz up by six at one moment late.

Kawhi Leonard hit the final shot of the game, pulling up on the wing, but this was after the Spurs rallied to take the lead back then nearly gave it away again. A huge and-1 drive in transition by Joakim Noah (and his nine rebounds) gave the Spurs the two-point lead once again. Donovan Mitchell missed the final chance heave for the Jazz at the buzzer, trying to hit the go-ahead 3PT prayer. Mitchell did not have a nice night, going 2-9 from 3PT land and 7-16 overall for 16 points. Ricky Rubio was the leader for the Jazz's near upset with 12 assists and 7 points, hitting a clutch 3PTer that almost stifled the Spurs rally. Deadeye Joe Ingles had 20 points on a trio of threes, also, missing one late that would've quelled the comeback effort by San Antonio.

Iman Shumpert and Kawhi Leonard bolstered San Antonio's scoring, especially Shump as Leonard sat the second quarter in foul trouble, combining for 48 points together, with both hearty fellas making big-time 3PTers, especially Shump's go-ahead 92-91 3PTer and Leonard's tomahawk jam. Dejounte Murray dished highlight reel-worthy passes tonight for 8 assists with 1 steal on Rubio for 16 points, daringly taking Rudy Gobert (16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) head-on in crucial moments. Pau Gasol threw the ball down on several occasions, showing his post skills also for 17 points and 8 rebounds, being utilized nicely on pick-and-roll schemes with Murray.

Filling out the rest for Utah, Dante Exum had 13 points, part of a nice 34-25 third quarter surge by the Jazz that were nearly streak-snappers tonight.