San Antonio home streak pushed to 32
SPURS 99, CAVALIERS 95
san antonio » Tony Parker had 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs used a furious start to the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99- 95 on Thursday night, remaining undefeated at home this season and avenging their previous loss in their own building.
Kawhi Leonard added 20 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, which haswon 10 straight overall.
LeBron James had 22 points and Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds forCleveland, which had won eight in a row.
The Spurs extended their home winning streak to 23 games to begin the season. San Antonio has won 32 straight at home dating to last season.
The team’s last loss at home came against the Cavaliers on March 12, when Kyrie Irving scored an NBA season- high and career- high 57 points in a 128- 125 overtime victory.
Irving was limited to 16 points on 6- for- 16 shooting this time, but the game was just as tense as last season’s.
San Antonio took an 85- 75 lead in the final quarter behind a 13- 2 run fueled by role players David West, Danny Green and Patty Mills.
TheSpurs lookedunsureonoffense early, so theywent to an old standard in Parker’s drives to the basket.
Parker scored the Spurs’ final 12 points to close the first half, sparking an offense that struggled against Cleveland’s active hands and rugged defense.
Leonard’s 3- pointer 4 minutes into the third quarter gave San Antonio its first lead at 57- 55, capping an 11- 0 run to open the period and a 19- 5 spurt bridging the halves.
Cleveland coach David Blatt and the Cavaliers had an answer for everything the Spurs threwat them early.
TimDuncan dived on the floor on the team’s opening possession to corral a loose ball and scoop it to Parker, who tossed it to Leonard for a dunk.
It was San Antonio’s lone basket in the first 3 ½ minutes as the Cavaliers took advantage of San Antonio’s defenders collapsing on Irving and James to set up open outside shots.
Kevin Love and J. R. Smith each had a field goal and a 3- pointer in the opening minutes.
Love finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Smith had 17 points.
San Antonio adjusted out of a timeout, so the Cavaliers used their muscle instead.
James upfaked, drawing a foul on Manu Ginobili off a made layup, and completed a threepoint play. Thompson added a second three- point play on an alleyoop for a 26- 13 lead.
TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager received a standing ovation late in the first half when he was welcomed back to San Antonio. Sager also received a warm welcome during his in- game interviewwith coach Gregg Popovich, who put his arm around the longtime reporter.
Sager returned to the sideline this season after twice battling cancer.