Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bxLPdch_w
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knew his team would come together slowly on the offensive end, despite early struggles. On Wednesday, they should him why he shouldn’t worry.
Pau Gasol had a season-high 24 points as he led the Spurs to a 110-105 win over the Sacramento Kings inside the Golden 1 Center for their fourth straight win.
Kawhi Leonard added 20 points and LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in 21 for the Spurs, who were without DeWayne Dedmon for two games due to a sprained right knee.
”We didn’t have that level of awareness and we weren’t moving the ball as much as we should have been early in the season,” Gasol said. ”We’re at our best when we’re moving the ball, creating an energy and flow that carries over to the defensive end. That’s been the staple of this team for so long.”
With the Spurs up 16, he put in several rookies to close the game. Sacramento left their starters in and took advantage, bringing the lead all the way down to four points. Key free throw shooting for the Silver and Black would seal the win.
The Kings were led by DeMarcus Cousins’ 26 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Matt Barnes anded 15 points and Ben McLemore, Willie Cauley-Stein and Rudy Gay each chipped in 11. Sacramento (4-8) dropped its third straight despite having four days off coming into the contest.
”We’re making it hard on ourselves right now,” Cousins said. ”We gotta come out with better energy and a better effort. It’s on us if we want to turn this around. It’s nobody’s fault but ours.”
Up next: The Spurs are now 9-3 on the season and will return to the court on Friday when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers at 9:30 p.m. at Staples Center.
