Spurs endure to defeat Clippers, 107-114.

The Spurs defense was the key factor tonight.

The Clippers came into Texas, looking to put on a show, but the Spurs defense had other ideas and caused a mess in the first quarter, winning it 19-35. LA would outscore the Spurs in the 2nd Quarter, but the Spurs led by as many as 23 points and the Clippers never took a lead. Breaking up alley oop attempts, swiping three turnovers out of Lou Williams, courtesy of Derrick White (7 rebounds)--the Spurs did it all to win.

That doesn't mean they didn't try, erasing the lead down to single digits several times, making for an anxious night for the home crowd. Timofey Mosgov (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) was the key for the Spurs, padding the lead back up to 10 despite the Clippers sneaking back close in the final minute. Kawhi Leonard, with Ingram draped over him, made a tough layup with the foul, only for Dejounte Murray (19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) to make one on the other end as the Clippers took a moment to acknowledge the small feat.

Despite LA's tenacity, the Spurs stalemated them 34-34 in the final period to finally get the victory. Brandon Ingram played better against a team from LA, scoring 18 points with 7 rebounds, despite going 6-16 and 1-7 from long range. Jarrett Allen fought with 5 fouls, scoring 12 points with 2 blocks. Avery Bradley bombed two 3PTers for 11 points with 2 steals of his own. J.R. Smith broke Lou Williams' ankles in the 2nd Quarter to hit the open three for 9 points. P.J. Tucker got 7 points to go with Taurean Prince's 6 (off night, 2-8). When the score was getting dangerously close, Nik Stauskas answered with two separate 3PT shots, even getting a block that led to a fast break for 6 points.

The Rest: Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, 6 rebounds going 11-15, but it was Paul George heroics in the 4th Quarter that nearly stole the game for 18 points with 8 assists, despite going 8-20 (shades of Ingram v. Lakers) and 0-4 from long range. Montrez Harrell had 18 points, 15 rebounds. Patrick Beverley dished 8 assists with 13 points. Williams hit 10 points and 5 assists, but just one three. JaMychal Green scored 9 points with 8 rebounds. The Spurs had only 7 turnovers, out-benching LA with forty-five points to 25. They stood pat on the glass, losing narrowly 52-48. LA only hit 7 threes, to eleven by the Spurs, going 49% overall.