Former Longhorn hits for 21
Aldridge a big factor as Spurs use big 3rd period to rout Suns.
The Spurs SAN ANTONIO — overcame a slow start and a heavy heart to beat the Phoenix Suns.
Former Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points and San Antonio rolled to a 112-95 victory on Sunday night following a dominant third quarter.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich earned his 1,156th victory, passing Phil Jackson for sixth all-time, but the veteran coach’s thoughts were on the victims of the mass shooting in nearby Sutherland Springs.
A lone gunman killed 26 people and injured 20 others at First Baptist Church, which is located 32 miles from the AT&T Center. The gunman was found dead in his vehicle following a brief chase.
“We won a basketball game. Considering what’s gone on today, it’s pretty meaningless,” Popovich said in his brief postgame remarks. “When you think about the tragedy those families are suffering, it’s incon- ceivable and impossible to put your head around. So, I think talking about basketball is probably pretty inap- propriate. So, you guys have a good night.”
The Spurs were low on energy in the first half, fall- ing behind 65-61 against the short-handed Suns.
Playing without four players and with T.J. Warren nurs- ing a head injury, Phoenix shot 69 percent from the field in the second quarter. Warren scored a team-high 17 points.
“In the first half we were moving the ball, especially entering the second quar- ter,” Warren said. “Moving the ball, getting good shots, exploiting mismatches, but we know basketball is two halves not one. We’ve just got to put it all together.”
The Spurs turned things around in the third quar- ter by holding the Suns to 13 points, the lowest production by an opponent in any quarter this season. San Antonio won the period by 21 points, its largest point dif- ferential in the third quar- ter since 2012.
“The last couple games our third quarters have been kind of slow, and we just had to come out with intensity,” said Spurs forward Rudy Gay, who had 12 points. “We made a couple defensive changes, and offensively that’s going to come, but we just had to have the mindset of coming out there to win the game in the third quarter.”
Patty Mills had 11 points in the third, going 3 for 3 on 3-pointers, and Aldridge had eight.
Mills f i nished with 17 points and Danny Green added 14.
With Manu Ginobili sit- ting out for rest after playing in back-to-back games, San Antonio’s young reserves stepped forward.
Dejounte Murray had 13 points, Bryn Forbes added 12 and Brandon Paul scored 11.
Forbes scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time in his twoyear career.
Troy Daniels added 14 points for Phoenix and Devin Booker was held to a season-low nine points on 3-for- 11 shooting.
Parker progressing: Tony Parker, who like Kawhi Leon- ard has yet to play this season, participated in pregame warmups. Parker, who had surgery to repair a torn left quadriceps tendon, was moving with no noticeable limp or discomfort. Parker is scheduled to return in midto late-November, which is about the same time Leonard is expected to return.
Playing for the best: Spurs center Pau Gasol said there are similarities between Jackson and Popovich, even though they have different coaching styles.
“Two of the greatest of all-time,” Gasol said. “I had the luxury and privilege to be coached by two of the greatest. I’m a lucky guy. Very different, in different ways, but ultimately, they love the game, they respect the game, they’re thor- ough (and) they’re incredible coaches. I’m glad for Pop. His dedication to the game, and how excellent and superb he’s been as a coach, and how successful his teams have been.”