The San Antonio Spurs were looking for a spark in their game on Monday. They found it in an unlikely scuffle and never looked back as they rallied to victory, keeping their perfect road record alive.
Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points as the Spurs rallied for a 97-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks inside the BMO Harris Bradley Center, staying perfect on the road.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points, including getting the credit for the game winning basket with 21.5 seconds to play. Pau Gasol added 15 for San Antonio, who improved to 12-0 away from home.
San Antonio trailed by 15 early and lost guard Tony Parker to a knee injury. Milwaukee’s tough length proved to be a problem for the Silver and Black, who scored just nine points in the second quarter.
”You don’t win every game by 20. They played well. That’s how they stuck with us. They’re young and athletic and hungry,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
Tensions were high in the third quarter with Milwaukee leading by one. Dwayne Dedmon and Greg Milwaukee’s Monroe fought for a rebound, resulting in a shoving match. Spurs forward Davis Bertans and Milwaukee’s Michael Beasley were ejected for pushing as a result.
The Bucks were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Parker had a team-high 23 points and Monroe added 10 for Milwaukee (10-9), who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
”You cannot afford to make a lot of mistakes and put them in the game,” Antetokounmpo said. ”They can take away the game as they did tonight.”
Up next: The Spurs are now 17-4 on the season and will return to the court tomorrow night when they travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. inside Target Center.
