http://www.youtube.com/v/r-o3541z5HE?version=3&hl=en_USThe San Antonio Spurs (51-16) squeaked by the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-44) in San Antonio 119-113. Tim Duncan led the team with a double-double 30 points and 12 rebounds. The Spurs dominated the Cavs in the paint 62-46.
For a first half recap, click here but here is how the second half went down at the AT&T Center including some notes and quotes.
Third Quarter Recap:
The Spurs maintained their lead with a strong shooting performance from Nando De Colo from the bench (4-6 shooting). However, with the Spurs turning the ball over (14 leading to 22 Cavs' points) and continued strong bench play from the Cavs, Cleveland tied the game late in the quarter. But the Spurs took a one-point lead after three quarters.
Stat Leader: Duncan with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Score: Spurs 91, Cavs 90.
Fourth Quarter Recap:
Turnovers continued to plague the Spurs (18) but the Spurs cranked up the defense late in the quarter while the Cavs defense sputtered. The Spurs were simply getting anything they wanted in the paint as they outscored the Cavs 62-46.
Stat Leader: Duncan with 30 points and 12 rebounds..jpg)
Final Score: Spurs 119, Cavs 113.
Notes:
- Kawhi Leonard with a career high in rebounds (13) and ties a season high in assists (4).
- Spurs dominated the Cavs in the paint 62-46.
- Spurs turned the ball over 18 times leading to 29 Cavs' points.
- Leonard finished with a double-double tonight with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Quotes:
Spurs' Popovich on team defense:
"We're going to go no where unless we get out of this rut that we're in where we can't guard anybody"
"I'm very disappointed in our defensive execution the last two or three weeks after we raised our stock from being a middle of the road defensive team last year to one of the top two or three this year."
Popovich on De Colo:
"I thought Nando did a great job because he's been sitting so much and he got a shot to get out there on the court today."
Popovich on Coach Budenholzer:
"Bud knows his stuff. He's good and when he decided he wants to be, he'll be a head coach in the league."
Popovich on Duncan:
"Tim saved us. He obviously carried the whole night for us. He was great."
Duncan on his shot:
"I still haven't gotten my shot back the way I want it."
Duncan on Leonard:
"His defensive rebounding has been huge."
Project Spurs Photo of the Game: