Pound The Rock - The San Antonio Spurs

[BobbyColtrane]

108 101

Spurs use big 3rd quarter to beat Grizzlies, 108-101

SAN ANTONIO– The Spurs recovered from 2 straight losses and outlast the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-101. San Antonio trailed 48-44 at the break while making just 2 of 14 3 point attempts. But the shots started falling in the 3rd, as the Spurs shot 7-8 from 3 during the quarter to turn a 4 point deficit to a 16-point lead.

Up Next: San Antonio travels to Detroit to play the 14-23 Pistons.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Chandler Parsons misses, Patty Mills leaks out for an easy 2

Memphis Grizzlies (14-25) at San Antonio Spurs (28-12)
Jan 5, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final Memphis 25 23 22 31 101 San Antonio 21 23 42 22 108 Top Performers Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol 20 PTS, 21 REB, 5 STL San Antonio Spurs Derrick White 18 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST	Team Stats Comparison MEM SAS FG Made-Att 44-105 42% 42-92 46% 3PT Made-Att 8-24 33% 8-21 38% FT Made-Att 5-12 42% 6-7 86% Rebounds 52 47 Assists 30 25 Turnovers 9 10 Steals 8 7 Blocks 10 2

[BobbyColtrane]

120 98

Spurs blow out Pistons 120-98

DETROIT– With LaMarcus Aldridge taking the night off, Jakob Poeltl got his first start of the season, and a number of Spurs stepped up to blow out the Pistons 120-98. The Spurs were also without DeMar DeRozan who is recovering from a foot sprain, but they were led by Dejounte Murray who finished with 20 points in limited minutes. Robert Covington had his best game in a Spurs uniform, making 3 of 4 three point attempts and finishing with 18 points.

For the 2nd straight game, San Antonio exploded in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Pistons 42-21 to take a commanding 100-78 lead into the 4th quarter. The Spurs shot 64% in the 3rd and hit 5 of 8 three point shots, effectively ending the game.

Up Next: The Spurs face the 15-25 Grizzlies in Memphis. The teams have split the first two meetings of the season.

Around the League: The Warriors announced that C Draymond Green will miss 4-6 weeks with a severe ankle sprain. Free agent acquisition Demarcus Cousins is expected to make his debut in the next few days.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Derrick White posterizes Andre Drummond

San Antonio Spurs (29-12) at Detroit Pistons (14-24)
Jan 7, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 25 33 42 20 120 Detroit 25 23 42 22 98 Top Performers Detroit Pistons Andre Drummond 24 PTS, 17 REB Blake Griffin 25 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST San Antonio Spurs Dejounte Murray 20 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST Robert Covington 18 PTS, 3-4 3PA	Team Stats Comparison SAS DET FG Made-Att 47-91 52% 42-92 46% 3PT Made-Att 13-33 39% 8-21 33% FT Made-Att 13-17 76% 6-7 86% Rebounds 52 47 Assists 30 25 Turnovers 9 10 Steals 8 7 Blocks 10 2

[BobbyColtrane]

120 118

Spurs edge Grizzlies 120-118

MEMPHIS– For the second time in three games, the Spurs beat the Grizzlies, behind a career high 26 points from Derrick White. With DeMar DeRozan still sidelined with a foot sprain, the second year guard put on a show, and added 8 assists as well. “He has a very bright future in this league,” Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game.

Dejounte Murray had a strong game as well with 22 points. “With DeMar out, Pop told us to be aggressive looking for our shot, and thats what I tried to do,” Murray said after the game.

Up Next: The Spurs host the first leg of a home-and-home with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are currently 4th in the West with a 26-15 record.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Derrick White gets around Conley, wrong-foots Noah for 2

San Antonio Spurs (30-12) at Memphis Grizzlies (15-26)
Jan 9, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 32 21 37 30 120 Memphis 32 26 31 29 118 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs Derrick White 26 PTS, 8 AST Dejounte Murray 22 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol 30 PTS, 13 REB, 2 BLK	Team Stats Comparison SAS MEM FG Made-Att 46-91 51% 46-89 52% 3PT Made-Att 8-24 33% 11-24 46% FT Made-Att 20-25 80% 15-18 83% Rebounds 48 48 Assists 27 27 Turnovers 8 10 Steals 8 5 Blocks 1 3

[BobbyColtrane]

99 86

DeRozan returns, Spurs clamp down on OKC for 99-86 win

SAN ANTONIO– The Spurs turned the clock back last night in the AT&T Center, with a fantastic defensive effort to clamp down on Oklahoma City's stars and get a 99-86 win. Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and the newly acquired Robert Covington harassed Russell Westbrook and Paul George all night as the Spurs led by as many as 19 points.

George scored 33 points, but shot just 12 of 29 from the field and had trouble with Covington all night. “They're tough. And when Robert goes out, Rudy Gay comes in. I just have to do a better job getting to my spots,” George said after the game. Westbrook fared no better, finishing with just 15 points on 6-20 shooting agains the Spurs' young defensive stalwarts.

DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 26 points in his return from a sprained foot, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Up Next: The Spurs travel to Oklahoma for another matchup with the Thunder.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Dejounte Murray gives Russell Westbrook a taste of his own medicine

BONUS HIGHLIGHT

Spoiler

Dejounte Murray denies Westbrook again!

Oklahoma City Thunder (25-16) at San Antonio Spurs (31-12)
Jan 10, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final Oklahoma City 26 13 23 24 86 San Antonio 18 29 31 21 99 Top Performers Oklahoma City Thunder DeMar DeRozan 26 PTS, 5 REB LaMarcus Aldridge 20 PTS, 12 REB San Antonio Spurs Paul George 33 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL	Team Stats Comparison OKC SAS FG Made-Att 35-88 40% 40-84 48% 3PT Made-Att 4-22 18% 7-18 39% FT Made-Att 12-14 86% 12-17 71% Rebounds 53 51 Assists 24 20 Turnovers 17 14 Steals 11 14 Blocks 6 7

[BobbyColtrane]

99 90

Thunder return the favor, strangle Spurs' offense for 99-90 win

OKLAHOMA CITY– Oklahoma City turned the tables on the Spurs, rebounding from their previous loss in San Antonio to get a 99-90 win against the Silver and Black. San Antonio shot just 38% as a team for the game, and had trouble getting good looks all night. “After the way the last game went, we knew they'd come out focused, and they did,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the game.

Up Next: The Spurs welcome back a legend, as Tony Parker and the Charlotte Hornets return to San Antonio.

San Antonio Spurs (31-13) at Oklahoma City Thunder (26-16)
Jan 12, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 20 24 18 28 90 Oklahoma City 16 27 29 27 99 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs DeMar DeRozan 26 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook 32 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST	Team Stats Comparison SAS OKC FG Made-Att 33-87 38% 44-94 47% 3PT Made-Att 6-20 30% 4-21 19% FT Made-Att 18-21 86% 7-8 88% Rebounds 53 54 Assists 20 24 Turnovers 12 8 Steals 6 7 Blocks 2 5

[BobbyColtrane]

126 108

Spurs welcome Tony Parker home, blow out Hornets 126-108

SAN ANTONIO– San Antonio welcomed back one of the greatest Spurs of all-time, Tony Parker, and got a 126-108 win over the Hornets.

"Draining mentally, emotionally, it was just an awesome night," Parker said. "Just want to thank the fans. The way they reacted tonight was just unbelievable. Love, and I appreciate everything. It was just a great memory and a great night for me that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

After 2 tough defensive games against Oklahoma City, San Antonio exploded in the 2nd half for 77 points, shooting 42% from 3-point range and 62% overall in the half. “It felt like we couldn't miss,” DeRozan said after game. “The last game, we scored 90 points the whole night, so to score 77 in a half is pretty unreal.”

Up Next: The Spurs make the trek up I-35 to face the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs are 18-25 this season, 2 games behind the Blazers for the 8th seed.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Rudy Gay leaks out for an easy jam

Charlotte Hornets (19-29) at San Antonio Spurs (32-13)
Jan 14, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final Charlotte 26 23 32 27 108 San Antonio 23 26 39 38 126 Top Performers Charlotte Hornets Derrick White 21 PTS, 7 AST LaMarcus Aldridge 21 PTS, 10 REB San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker 16 PTS, 8 AST	Team Stats Comparison CHA SAS FG Made-Att 45-95 47% 51-95 54% 3PT Made-Att 10-26 38% 10-27 37% FT Made-Att 8-9 89% 14-15 93% Rebounds 44 52 Assists 28 34 Turnovers 9 7 Steals 4 8 Blocks 1 6

[BobbyColtrane]

111 102

Spurs go on late run to turn back Mavs, 111-102

DALLAS– Derrick White continued his strong play, and the Spurs used a late run to power past Dallas, 111-102. White scored 19 points and had 6 assists and 4 steals, showing poise beyond his years. In the 8 games played since New Year's Eve, White has shot 11-23 from 3 (47.8%). “We are watching Derrick and Dejounte grow up before our eyes, and its exciting for the future of the Spurs,” head coach Gregg Popovich added after the game.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the team with 26 points, but the Spurs trailed 95-93 when 2nd year guard Dennis Smith Jr. hit a jumper with 5:31 left in the game. From there, San Antonio went on a commanding 12-0 run with Dejounte Murray scoring the final 8 of those points. That gave San Antonio a 105-95 lead and effectively ended the game.

Up Next: The Spurs close out the season series at home vs. the 17-27 Minnesota Timberwolves. San Antonio has won the first 3 games between the teams this year.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Derrick White intercepts the inbound and DeMar DeRozan gets the dunk

San Antonio Spurs (33-13) at Dallas Mavericks (18-26)
Jan 16, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 30 28 24 27 111 Dallas 27 23 27 25 102 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs LaMarcus Aldridge 26 PTS, 7 REB Derrick White 19 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL Dallas Mavericks Wes Matthews 24 PTS	Team Stats Comparison SAS DAL FG Made-Att 43-89 48% 43-92 47% 3PT Made-Att 9-24 38% 7-22 32% FT Made-Att 16-16 100% 9-11 82% Rebounds 45 52 Assists 31 25 Turnovers 10 14 Steals 12 6 Blocks 5 2

[BobbyColtrane]

118 104

Big 4th quarter powers Spurs past Wolves, 118-104

MINNEAPOLIS– The Spurs beat the Timberwolves last night 118-104, sweeping all for games against Minnesota this year. DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 26 points, and Derrick White chipped in 17 points and 5 assists.

The game was decided in the 4th quarter, with San Antonio outscoring the Wolves 40-25 in that frame to provide the margin of victory. “We let them hang around for 3 quarters, but thankfully we got hot in the 4th and got the win,” DeRozan said after the game.

Up Next: The Spurs return to the AT&T Center to host the 21-24 LA Clippers, who are currently 9th in the West. San Antonio won the first meeting between the two teams this year in LA.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Robert Covington and Derrick White raising hell on the defensive end

San Antonio Spurs (34-13) at Minnesota Timberwolves (17-28)
Jan 18, 2019 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 30 25 23 40 118 Minnesota 30 28 21 25 104 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs LaMarcus Aldridge 22 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony Towns 19 PTS, 22 REB, 5 AST DeMar DeRozan 26 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST	Team Stats Comparison SAS MIN FG Made-Att 46-0 51% 44-94 47% 3PT Made-Att 10-24 42% 6-20 30% FT Made-Att 16-17 94% 10-13 77% Rebounds 46 52 Assists 22 28 Turnovers 6 8 Steals 5 4 Blocks 4 1