In the loss, the Spurs had trouble as soon as Brandon Ingram's shot went awry, finishing with 15 points only despite 9 rebounds (6-14, 1-5 3PT). Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed plenty of nice looks in the clutch, totaling 15 points also (5-16, 3-9 3PT). Evan Fournier had a nice showing with 14 points, 6 assists. Dejounte Murray was also quiet, for just 13 points and Andre Drummond struggled to score for just 9 points & 15 rebounds. The Spurs had 11 turnovers, tarnishing a 14 points lead at one moment in the game.
Things got better next time around, as the Spurs held Philly to just 86 points. Ingram's redemption came in the form of 31 points, 5 rebounds & 5 assists (15-20 FG) with 4 steals. Dejounte Murray dished 5 assists with 15 points and 2 steals, gunning for Simmons (14 points, 6 rebounds, 6/20 FG, 3 turnovers). James Harden had 16 points, but shot just 8/18 with 4 turnovers of his own. Julius Randle had 14 points, with Clint Capela owning 17 rebounds & 10 points.
In the win, Evan Fournier had 13 points with KCP's 12 behind him. Fred VanVleet scored 11 this time around, hitting a trio of long balls with 14 rebounds by Drummond down low. It seems a third meeting is likely, even with the new playoff seeding on the horizon as the Spurs improve to 50-6 on the season.
