Spurs fend off rally, extend Warriors skid

SAN ANTONIO 104 GOLDEN STATE 92

Finally faced with “the real NBA,” the Golden State Warriors are playing short-handed and having a hard time.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 18 rebounds as the host San Antonio Spurs fended off a late rally to beat Golden State 104-92 on Sunday night, extending the Warriors’ skid to three games.

The two-time defending NBA champions are 2-5 since an eightgame winning streak.

“We’ve had such a charmed existence the last four seasons. So, of course, this is the toughest stretch we’ve been in,” coach Steve Kerr said. “This is the real NBA. We haven’t been in the real NBA the last few years. We’ve been in this dream. So, now we’re faced with real adversity. ”

DeMar DeRozan had 20 points and nine assists and Rudy Gay added 19 points to help the Spurs snap a three-game slide.

“We needed that one,” Gay said. “It was a hard-fought win for us. That’s a team that needed this one, too, so it really was an uphill battle for us and good test for us.”

Aldridge provided a needed boost, shooting 10 for 16 in scoring 20-plus points for the first time since Nov. 10.

at Orlando 131, New York 117:

The Magic’s Aaron Gordon dunked just 20 seconds into the game and the Knicks never caught up. Gordon scored 20 of his 31 points in the first quarter and the Magic held off two rallies to beat the skidding Knicks. The Magic shot 57% and set a season high for points, surpassing the 130 they put up Saturday against the Lakers. It’s the first time in franchise history Orlando has scored 130 in consecutive games.

Memphis 100, at Minnesota 87:

Marc Gasol had 26 points and 13 rebounds, Mike Conley added 18 points and nine assists, and the Grizzlies snapped the Timberwolves’ three-game win streak. Memphis, which entered the game with the second-most points off turnovers in the NBA, forced Minnesota into 20 turnovers and turned them into 19 points in winning for the fifth time in six games.

Portland 119, at Washington 109:

The Trail Blazers raced to a 32-12 lead in the first quarter and led by as many as 29 points in the third before holding off the Wizards. Damian Lillard scored 40 points and C.J. McCullom added 25 for Portland. The Wizards’ Dwight Howard exited the game in the second quarter after aggravating a gluteal injury.

Lakers 113, at Miami 97