Spurs recuperate to defeat Suns, 105-114.

The rival Suns touched down in Texas, tangling with a strong Spurs showing led by Evan Fournier's 22 points (8-12 FG%, 4-6 3PT). Brandon Ingram had 22 points & 11 rebounds, but Drummond still led the Spurs on the glass with 12 rebounds, 13 points. Dejounte Murray figured it out, forgetting the bitter loss in Charlotte last night to score 21 points & 13 assists. Fred VanVleet staggered here and there, but still manaaged 14 points (4-7 3PT).

For Phoenix, DeAndre Ayton had 26 points & 17 rebounds, once again causing rumors to flourish and strengthen the "best player on the Suns" debate. Meanwhile, Devin Booker had 23 points, showing off a more versatile game with athletic dunks and layups in traffic, hitting from mid range at times.

Ayton hit a couple of 3PT shots, but San Antonio's strategy paid off to give him space and keep him outside of the paint. Dario Saric scored 18 points, Kelly Oubre, Jr, had 10 points & Ricky Rubio dished 11 assists. 

However, Khris Dunn & Mikal Bridges shot 2-12 as a pair for the Suns. Despite the loss, Phoenix did win the 3rd Quarter, 31-22 to make a game of it in the 4th, albeit in defeat as they only hit 5-25 from deep.

 

Rhythmless Spurs lose in Charlotte, 96-104.

The Hornets looked like the team of yesteryear in the first half, trailing by as many as 18 points, but reignited their homestand in the 3rd Quarter with a mountainous 42-18 beat-down of the Spurs, going on to win a close 4th Quarter, 22-24.

#3 overall pick, Evan Mobley, 7'0", shined brightly for the Charlotte Hornets tonight with 21 points. Jonas Valanciunas had 24 points & 9 rebounds. Tim Hardaway, Jr, dropped 2 points, P.J. Washington had 11 points & Colin Sexton had 10 points with 12 assists. Danilo Gallinari had 19 points & 11 rebounds.

Dejounte Murray (24 points) had the makings of a strong game, but couldn't quite put it all together despite getting the Spurs within a basket late before Charlotte pulled away in the final two minutes. Brandon Ingram combined with Murray well on the fast break for 27 points, 6 rebounds & 5 assists with 2 blocks, and Kent Bazemore was hot for 16 points, but Andre Drummond struggled against Charlotte's front-court for just 16 rebounds, 10 points. The Spurs had 15 turnovers as a unit, uncharacteristically so. Its best shooters, VanVleet & Harris, also went cold from the perimeter, nailing the road defeat coffin shut.

Spurs hold off Pistons, 100-106.

Off to a hot start this season, Brandon Ingram continued to be a scoring machine for the Spurs with 32 points. Fred VanVleet showed some upswing with 18 points & 6 assists, one of many Spurs players off to a rocky start conversely. Evan Fournier had another good game with 15 points. Dejounte Murray didn't score much but dished 10 assists, with Andre Drummond cleaning the glass with 14 boards, 6 blocks & 9 points.

Kyle Kuzma is starting to develop a comfort zone with his new squad, scoring 17 points to lead the Pistons on a 33-22 scoring run in the final quarter. It was a 3PTer by P.J. Tucker that sealed the win for the Spurs late, after Cole Anthony (10 points, 9 assists) made a layup to cut the lead within three points.

Hassan Whiteside outplayed Drummond for 28 points, 20 rebounds with 3 blocks, gelling smoothly with his new team. Jerami Grant was also recently acquired from the Denver Nuggets, scoring 18 points & 8 rebounds. Ex-Spur, Taurean Prince, scored 11 points tonight, but John Wall shot 3-10 & Kuzma was a cold 1-7 from long range, despite having a lot of gumption and firing away with the game up in the air.