San Antone: The Gait Toward Eight

Leonard has his eyes on another championship run. After the historic win streak was snapped by the rising Milwaukee Bucks, the Spurs recovered solidly with wins against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, edging the Los Angeles Lakers on the road in an overtime clash, all but eliminating the injury-laden squad led by LeBron James from playoff contention for a remarkable 70th victory. This late run was noted by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, resting up for the playoffs. The playoffs are on the horizon now, the sun setting on another exciting basketball regular season, with the hungry Denver Nuggets waiting to touch down in San Antone, boasting a victory there--a feat accomplished by only two other teams this season, with the Spurs finishing 38-3 at home and losing only 3 also against its own western conference rivals (49 wins). At season's end, Kawhi Leonard received MVP honors with Popovich awarded the Coach of the Year.

The Greek Freek was too good tonight, boasting a triple-double. As Dejounte Murray's baseline jumper went in to give the Spurs a two-point advantage, it seemed the league's best win streak would keep growing after yet another close game...until Brook Lopez scored from 3PT territory after the Bucks timeout. Rudy Gay would miss a close shot next and so would Patty Mills after an intentional foul, spelling the end of this historic run by the Spurs, who now fall to 65-9 on the season after a solid pair of wins over the Wizards and Jazz. Iman Shumpert shone in those two victories, tallying 53 total points, with Leonard sitting out against the Jazz. MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo had a beastly 36 points, 16 rebounds and 19 assists with 2 blocks in this big home victory. Not far behind was recent trade deadline grab Nikola Mirotic's 28 points with 12 rebounds. Khris Middleton banged in 18 points, making four 3PTers. Bench big man Brook Lopez not only had the game-winn...

Durant missed a late 3PT attempt in this close game. Kawhi Leonard’s pull-up jumper over Kevin Durant iced this victory at home between the NBA’s two fiercest rivals, then for good measure Leonard dunked past a trailing Durant, receiving his final sixth foul. The Claw was showered with "M-V-P" chants at the free throw line, nailing the shot. Not to say peril was not in play for the home team, the Warriors were up late midway through the fourth quarter, until Patty Mills (18 points, six 3PTers) sparked a comeback after a cold start of his own. Recent acquisition Skal Labissiere had a nice outing with 27 points, 2 steals and 1 block going 10-17 on the field. Dejounte Murray scored 16 points, 8 rebounds with 8 assists. Joakim Noah had 7 points to go with 8 rebounds, as Pau Gasol teased a double-double also with 7 & 7 along with 3 steals. In a surprise effort, Avery Bradley dished nine assists with his usual 2 blocks and 1 steal. In the hard loss, Durant exited the co...