The Spurs continue to roll, despite already having four losses (after finishing 77-5 last season, a new league record), to the league's best tally with the surprising Minnesota Timberwolves close behind. The Clippers, with Rudy Gobert, and Lakers with Steven Adams continue to be in the mix also, whereas the Dallas Mavericks are on a big losing streak.
In the first road, the Spurs downed sophomore sensation Matthew Hurt (21 points) and Terry Rozier (6 assists) of the Cavaliers. Larry Nance Jr scored 19 points & 12 rebounds, with Domantas Sabonis notching 17 points. Sharpshotter, Grayson Allen, had 16 points. Meyers Leonard scored 15 points, and Darius Garland chipped in 13 points.
San Antonio was led by Brandon Ingram's 29 points, streaking down-court tirelessly, only missing three of his shots on a 14-17 shooting clip in a stellar display. Dejounte Murray crushed the rim for 23 points, dishing 12 assists to boot with 4 steals. Andre Drummond ha 20 points, with his new backup JaVale McGee notching 13 points, 11 rebounds. Kent Bazemore had 11 points, hitting 3-5 from deep. Evan Fournier scored 9 points, going 4-5 as Fred VanVleet dished 13 assists with 8 points. San Antonio shot 47% from 3PT range, climbing to a season-high 147 points, winning 147-122 after a 41-20 lead in the 1st Quarter.
Next, the Spurs headed to Brooklyn to face off against Kyrie Irving (20 points, 8-15, 2-6 3PT) & Kevin Durant (13 points, 5-12), but again the Nets need more help outside of its two star players, despite Irving's clutch 3PT shot over Fred VanVleet (10 points) to score Brooklyn's first points of the game. It got ugly from there, earning a serenade of boos from the temperamental NY crowd once Brooklyn went down by 26 points. The Nets did recuperate to win the 3rd Quarter and cut the lead within 7 points, before the Spurs steadily recovered until the buzzer.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played well against both the Cavs and Nets, adding a true scoring punch off the bench for the Spurs who are happy to have him back, with all signs pointing that he will be re-signed next summer as a free agent if he wishes to stay with the team. The Spurs are still waiting to see if Brandon Ingram wants to engage in contract extension talks later this season. Meanwhile, KCP scored 21 points, 3-5 3PT, 6 assists) against the Cavaliers and then 20 points (2-2 3PT) at Brooklyn as the Spurs now move to 22-4 on the season, winning 114-105.
Brooklyn was led by Kevon Looney's 21 points & 19 rebounds. Brandon Ingram poured in 24 points for San Antonio, with 6 rebounds & 7 assists. Dejounte Murray had 15 points & 6 assists with 3 steals. Evan Fournier scored 13 points. JaVale McGee had 12 points, 11 rebounds. Andre Drummond grabbed 14 boards.
