SAN ANTONIO –
Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and the San Antonio Spurs rebounded from a rare loss and beat the Denver Nuggets 101-86 on Saturday night to remain unbeaten at home.
San Antonio extended its franchise record for consecutive wins at home to 26, including a record 17 consecutive to open this season.
The Spurs got off to a sluggish start coming off an 88-84 loss in Houston on Friday night.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili both sat out after playing big minutes in a physical matchup against Houston. The duo’s absence enabled the Spurs to show off their depth in another blowout victory at home.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 points and nine rebounds, Boris Diaw had 16 points and Tony Parker added 13 points. Boban Marjanovic had 10 points and David West added 10 points and six assists starting in place of Duncan.
But it was San Antonio’s veterans that enabled the bench to get extended minutes.
Parker had a 19-foot jumper and layup off a steal that gave San Antonio a 43-31 lead with 4:21 remaining. Parker had all 13 of his points in the second quarter on 6-for-8 shooting.
Leonard took the lead in the third, draining a pair of 3-point attempts in scoring 10 points in the period.
San Antonio finished 7 for 10 on 3-pointers.
Denver, which was without starters Danilo Gallinari and Emmanuel Mudiay, trailed by double digits throughout the second half.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets off the bench, scoring 22 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Will Barton added 16 points and Gary Harris was the only starter in double figures with 10.
Tip-ins
Nuggets: Denver coach Michael Malone said the chances of Emanuel Mudiay and Danilo Gallinari playing prior to Denver’s game against Golden State on Jan. 2 are “slim to none.” Mudiay has a sprained right ankle and Gallinari has a sprained left ankle. ... The Nuggets’ last win over the Spurs was 96-86 on April 10, 2013 in Denver. ... The Nuggets have had 13 different players start this season, with Gallinari leading the way with 27 starts.
