RAUL DOMINGUEZ
Related Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has spent 25 years preaching that the Spurs want a stable 48-minute effort if they’re to have an opportunity to win.
Effectively, it solely took 12 good minutes for a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
DeMar DeRozan scored 30 factors and San Antonio rebounded from a 16-point deficit to beat Minnesota 111-108 on Wednesday night time.
“They held on” Popovich stated. “Present a number of good character. You get off. We misplaced the final two video games. We now have not performed nicely. We went down once more, however they stored going, and that is spectacular to me. “
Jakob Poeltl added 19 factors and Dejounte Murray had 15 factors and 11 rebounds.
Malik Beasley scored 29 factors and D’Angelo Russell added 20 for Minnesota, which was outscored 32-18 within the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves fell to 1-9 on the highway this season.
The Spurs received for the primary time after they had been misplaced by 15 or extra factors at any level within the recreation. San Antonio trailed till the ultimate 4 minutes, closing the sport on a 30-11 streak.
“We simply battle” Murray stated. “You wish to see that entire unit battle, whoever is on the court docket.”
After dropping its earlier two video games to Memphis, San Antonio completed Four-Three in what turned a seven-game residence run as a consequence of a postponement in New Orleans.
The Spurs didn’t have veteran forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Homosexual, who had been sidelined with hip accidents.
Aldridge’s absence allowed Poeltl to make the 50th begin of his profession and the 46th with the Spurs. Poeltl’s presence was key within the fourth quarter.
The Spurs had a 22-7 run to open the fourth quarter and take their first lead at 101-99 on Poeltl’s layup with Four:16 remaining. Poeltl and DeRozan mixed to attain the Spurs’ remaining factors to seal the victory.
DeRozan drove in when he was fouled on a strong one-handed dunk. His subsequent free throw put San Antonio inside 99-93 with 6:29 to play.
“I simply did not need to lose” DeRozan stated. “The primary three quarters had been embarrassing, irritating. We simply needed to buckle up within the fourth quarter and drop every part. “
The Timberwolves entered the sport having misplaced eight of their earlier 10, however shortly gained momentum.
Minnesota had 4 gamers who scored by taking a 12-6 lead inside 5 minutes of play. Minnesota was Four-of-Eight on Three-pointers within the first quarter and completed 13 of 32 total.
San Antonio has dropped 10 factors in 59% of its video games this season and was Zero-Eight this season when it trailed 15 factors or extra.
TIPS
Timberwolves: Minnesota is 10-52 towards the Spurs in San Antonio. … The Timberwolves have two of their most efficient first three quarters towards the Spurs. Minnesota equaled a season-high 34 factors towards San Antonio on Jan. 9 and got here inside one level of matching that mark on Wednesday.
Spurs: Aldridge missed the sport with a flexor in his proper hip and ache in that hip. Homosexual sat with a flexor in his left hip and pressure in that hip. … Rookie level guard Devin Vassell joined Tony Parker as the one gamers in franchise historical past with greater than 20 Three-pointers and greater than 20 steals in his first 20 video games with the Spurs. … The Spurs play their first highway recreation since Jan. 20 after they face Houston on Saturday. San Antonio was scheduled to play Jan.25 in New Orleans, however the recreation was canceled as a consequence of well being and security protocols with the Pelicans.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Timberwolves: Will proceed the five-game highway journey on Friday in Oklahoma Metropolis.
Spurs: On the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
