Pound The Rock - The San Antonio Spurs

[BobbyColtrane]

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Spurs fall to Chicago in OT, 112-106

CHICAGO– After a tough back-to-back against Indianapolis and Milwaukee, the Spurs fell in overtime to the Chicago Bulls, 112-106. San Antonio was done in by poor shooting, going just 4-17 from 3-point territory. Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine had a career night, going for 46 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. DeMar DeRozan lead the Spurs with 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge continued his strong play of late with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Up Next: The Spurs finish up their 4-game road trip in Minneapolis, taking on the 8-13 Timberwolves.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Rudy Gay with the steal and dunk

San Antonio Spurs (13-7) at Chicago Bulls (9-12)
Nov 26, 2018 1 2 3 4 OT Final San Antonio 22 22 25 25 12 106 Chicago 24 32 14 24 18 112 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs DeMar DeRozan 24 PTS LaMarcus Aldridge 23 PTS, 11 REB Chicago Bulls Zach Lavine 46 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST	Team Stats Comparison SAS CHI FG Made-Att 43-94 46% 40-90 44% 3PT Made-Att 4-17 24% 11-21 52% FT Made-Att 16-20 80% 21-22 95% Rebounds 57 49 Assists 21 28 Turnovers 10 11 Steals 6 7 Blocks 7 3

[BobbyColtrane]

Quote: Originally Posted by Knickerbocker91

Giannis is unstoppable when the CPU has control of him it's ridiculous

Yeah it was tough, but the next game i got torched by Zach flippin' LaVine, so I can't blame the CPU hahaha

[BobbyColtrane]

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Spurs go to OT again, end road trip on winning note

MINNEAPOLIS– The Spurs finished their Midwest road trip with their third overtime in four games, outlasting the Timberwolves 112-110. “After the last three games, we're exhausted,” Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said after the game. “But guys are getting good crunch time experience, and we're coming together as a group.”

Andrew Wiggins scored 20 points in the first half and the Timberwolves lead by as many as 15. But the Spurs opened the 2nd half with a 15-5 run and controlled the 3rd quarter. Spurs mistakes allowed the Wolves to tie the game and send the game into overtime. But LaMarcus Aldridge took over in the extra frame, scoring 6 of his 22 points and leading the team to victory.

Up Next: San Antonio returns home to face the 13-7 Houston Rockets

League Notes: The LA Lakers announced that forward Brandon Ingram will miss 2 months with a torn right MCL.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Aldridge blocks KAT, DeMar throws it down

San Antonio Spurs (14-7) at Minnesota Timberwolves (8-14)
Nov 28, 2018 1 2 3 4 OT Final San Antonio 35 17 29 16 15 112 Minnesota 30 27 17 21 13 110 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs DeMar DeRozan 24 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL, 3 BLK LaMarcus Aldridge 22 PTS 14 REB Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony Towns 18 PTS, 16 REB Andrew Wiggins 29 PTS	Team Stats Comparison SAS MIN FG Made-Att 46-92 50% 46-105 44% 3PT Made-Att 8-23 35% 7-29 24% FT Made-Att 12-13 92% 11-12 92% Rebounds 53 54 Assists 27 26 Turnovers 17 9 Steals 9 13 Blocks 8 3

[BobbyColtrane]

At the NBA Season's quarter pole, here are the standings:

NBA Standings - Updated: Nov 28, 2018
EASTERN CONFERENCE	W	L	GB
TORONTO RAPTORS	21	2	-
BROOKLYN NETS	16	6	4.5
BOSTON CELTICS	15	6	5.0
PHILADELPHIA 76ers	13	10	8.0
MILWAUKEE BUCKS	12	9	8.0
CHARLOTTE HORNETS	11	10	9.0
ORLANDO MAGIC	11	11	9.5
MIAMI HEAT	10	10	9.5
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS	10	10	9.5
INDIANA PACERS	10	12	10.5
WASHINGTON WIZARDS	9	12	11.0
CHICAGO BULLS	9	13	11.5
DETROIT PISTONS	6	12	12.5
ATLANTA HAWKS	5	17	15.5
NEW YORK KNICKS	5	18	16.0
WESTERN CONFERENCE	W	L	GB
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS	15	8	-
SAN ANTONIO SPURS	14	7	-
HOUSTON ROCKETS	13	7	.5
DENVER NUGGETS	13	8	1.0
LOS ANGELES LAKERS	13	8	1.0
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS	13	8	1.0
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS	12	10	2.5
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER	11	9	2.5
UTAH JAZZ	9	13	5.5
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS	8	13	6.0
DALLAS MAVERICKS	7	12	6.0
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES	8	14	6.5
PHOENIX SUNS	7	14	7.0
SACRAMENTO KINGS	5	16	9.0

EASTERN CONFERENCE NOTES:

• Toronto. With the best start in Raptors history at 21-2, Kawhi Leonard has to be considered the early front-runner for the MVP Award. Leonard has adjusted to life in Toronto and is averaging 28.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and shooting 40.8% from 3, all while providing his usual spectacular defense. General Manager Masai Ujiri's gamble appears to be paying off as fellow newcomer Danny Green has also been a strong contributor for the Raptors, shooting 37.9% from 3 and teaming up with Leonard and Pascal Siakam to form a fearsome defense.
  
  
• Brooklyn. The Nets have been the feel-good story of the early season, going 16-6 and are currently second in the East. DeAngelo Russell has been a great pickup for the Nets, scoring 22 points and handing out 6.3 assists per game. The Nets have rebounded nicely from their awful trade with Boston that left them without first-round draft picks in 2014, 2016 and 2018. They have a clean cap sheet going forward and have positioned themselves to make the playoffs this year and perhaps attract a top free agent next Summer.

WESTERN CONFERENCE NOTES:

• San Antonio. Stop me if you've heard this one before: after being counted out in the Summer, the Spurs are once again defying expectations and are near the top of the Western Conference. Last year's Kawhi Leonard saga took a toll on San Antonio, and the Spurs won just 47 games. After trading Leonard (and Danny Green) away to Toronto, losing Manu Ginobili to retirement and Tony Parker to free agency, many expected this to be the year that the Spurs would finally crater. But behind the leadership of LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs appear to be successfully integrating all the new pieces, and winning enough in the process to hold the fort. Dejounte Murray and Derrick White have been a fantastic young backcourt combination, especially on the defensive end. Some nights they have looked great on offense as well, and the key to their continued growth will be finding consistency. DeMar DeRozan has been excellent as a scorer and facilitator, and the Spurs appear to be benefiting from the lack of drama. Everyone knows their role, and executes their assignments. Once again the Spurs are near the top of the NBA.
  
  
• Houston. This past offseason saw Houston retool their roster, letting several key role players leave and bringing in Carmelo Anthony. The results have been mixed so far. Anthony proved unable to change his game enough to fit into Houston's scheme, and in mid-November took a leave of absence from the Rockets as the front office searches for a trade. Then PJ Tucker torn patella tendon put him out for the remainder of the season. Still the Rockets appear to have righted the ship, bringing in Mirza Teletovic as a free agent, who has been starting and shooting well as a stretch forward. Houston is currently 3rd in the West behind only San Antonio and Golden State and figures to be playing deep into May again this year.
  
  
• Portland. The clock is ticking in Portland, where the Blazers don't appear to have recovered from last Spring's embarrassing 4 game sweep at the hands of the Pelicans. At the time, that series felt like a referendum on this current version of the team, and they have followed that up by starting 8-13 so far. With one of the highest-paid rosters in the NBA, if the Blazers can't recover their form, the trade deadline may bring about a roster shakeup.
  
  
• Sacramento. The Kings are in an awful position, as they are one of the worst teams in the league and don't have their first round pick this year. In a development that could swing the balance of power in the NBA, Philadelphia will get Sacramento's pick if it is #1 overall, and Boston will receive it otherwise. Both the Celtics and 76ers are near the top of the Eastern Conference and a high pick could prove to be a difference-making roster addition or valuable trade piece.

[BobbyColtrane]

LOS ANGELES- The Houston Rockets have traded Carmelo Anthony to the Los Angeles Lakers for a 2023 second round pick. Anthony fell out of the Rockets' rotation after not being able to mold his game to the Rockets' playstyle.

With the recent injury of Brandon Ingram, talks heated up quickly as the Lakers needed to bolster their frontcourt. Anthony will join good friend LeBron James and is expected to play a significant role for LA.

[BobbyColtrane]

I had edited the Spurs' jerseys in an attempt to add an alternate jersey that wasn't military-themed. But I wasn't aware of the implications and I was unhappy with the results of editing the uniforms. So I downloaded a re-brand from the Spurs and made a couple edits.

I'm really happy with the results! The court is reminiscent of a Spurs court from the mid-80s. The new logo incorporates the silhouette of the Alamo, and I love it. I created the 3rd jersey myself, based on the 90s warmups the Spurs wore. Anyway, if you see the new uniforms in my highlights, that's what happened and why. This will be our art going forward. In the 2nd season I'm going to consider art updates for other teams like the Mavericks and Pelicans.

[BobbyColtrane]

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Spurs suffocate Rocket guards, beat Houston 98-93

SAN ANTONIO– The Spurs young guards smothered veterans Chris Paul and James Harden for the second consecutive game, helping San Antonio to a 98-93 win over the Rockets. Harden finished the game with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists but was held to 6-23 shooting (2-13 from 3) as Dejounte Murray and Derrick White harassed him all night. In the two games versus San Antonio Harden is shooting just 36% (18-50) and just 20% from 3 (4-20). LaMarcus Aldridge paced San Antonio with 23 points and 15 rebounds.

Up Next: San Antonio hosts Portland, who has started the year 8-15

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pau Gasol with the steal and dish to Belinelli for 2

Houston Rockets (13-7) at San Antonio Spurs (14-7)
Nov 30, 2018 1 2 3 4 Final Houston 20 19 27 27 93 San Antonio 28 25 14 31 98 Top Performers Houston Rockets Chris Paul 20 PTS, 9 AST San Antonio Spurs LaMarcus Aldridge 23 PTS, 15 REB	Team Stats Comparison HOU SAS FG Made-Att 34-87 39% 37-90 41% 3PT Made-Att 11-36 31% 6-29 21% FT Made-Att 14-19 74% 18-20 90% Rebounds 45 58 Assists 23 21 Turnovers 13 13 Steals 9 9 Blocks 5 6

[BobbyColtrane]

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Spurs blow out Portland at home, 128-102

SAN ANTONIO– San Antonio ran the Blazers off the court early, riding a 38-22 first quarter to a blowout win over Portland. DeMar DeRozan dominated on the offensive end, scoring 28 points and handing out 13 assists. "After all the close games we have had lately, it was nice to get our work done early and get a solid win," DeRozan said after the game.

The loss was the 4th straight for the Blazers, and their 7th loss in their last 10 games.

Up Next: The Spurs travel to Utah to face the 10-14 Jazz

PLAY OF THE GAME

DeMar DeRozan absorbs contact and fights to the rim for 2 of his 28 points

Portland Trailblazers (8-15) at San Antonio Spurs (16-7)
Dec 2, 2018 1 2 3 4 Final Portland 22 25 31 24 102 San Antonio 38 25 34 31 128 Top Performers Portland Trailblazers CJ McCollum 24 PTS, 8 AST San Antonio Spurs DeMar DeRozan 28 PTS, 13 AST	Team Stats Comparison POR SAS FG Made-Att 41-89 46% 50-80 62% 3PT Made-Att 7-26 27% 8-15 53% FT Made-Att 15-15 87% 20-23 87% Rebounds 39 44 Assists 23 33 Turnovers 11 7 Steals 4 9 Blocks 1 5