Spurs top Clippers in thrilling first encounter, 109-116.

The Spurs defeated the Clippers in Texas tonight.

The Spurs led by as many as fourteen, but a brief first quarter surge by the home team was overcome by LA to end the 1st only down 23-26. San Antonio raised the defensive energy on the floor to win the second 24-33, leading by a dozen at the break after a block on Paul George led to the easy 3PTer on the fast break.

A close third quarter of 30-27 (LAC) and an even closer 32-30 (also LAC) fourth quarter made for an exciting finish and promise of showdowns to come, despite an off night by Brandon Ingram & Kawhi Leonard--although the San Antonio crowd ate up the 1-on-1 exchanges throughout the contest.

LA would miss five free throws during the game, ultimately losing by six, boosted by a final-minute spurt that fell short of an upset victory, trailing by only two points before Dejounte Murray--who did not have his best outing with just 9 points and 8 assists--made a tough driving layup with the foul to recuperate the lead. Patrick Beverley, Paul George & Kawhi Leonard all took a shot from beyond the arc, trying to cut the lead in the final possessions for the Clippers, but none went through the net for the Clippers.

Meanwhile, P.J. Tucker came out firing in the first quarter, finishing with 20 points, looking confident with his jump shot as he splashed in 22 points with four three-pointers, 3 steals & one block. The Spurs were led by Taurean Prince (25 points, 7 rebounds, 6-11) as Coach Pop experimented with his lineup after quick foul trouble arose for Avery Bradley (9 points), with Ingram (12 points, 4-12, 2-7 3PT) at the two and Prince at the three with Tucker & others at the power forward position.

Timofey Mosgov punished the smaller Montrez Harrell at times, finishing with 12 rebounds and 13 points (6-8) overall. Bradley would redeem himself in the second half of the final quarter, aggressively driving to the basket and hitting a perimeter shot. Joe Harris was on point from deep, splashing in two for 8 points. Jarrett Allen had some nice energy plays and Jeremy Lin dished five assists in what he told TNT's David Aldridge "a collaborative, hard-nosed team effort" to get the home win in a prime-time game.

In the loss, the Clippers nearly took the lead near the close of the third quarter, down 71-74, before Prince got a great pass down court for the easy lay-in then a deflection led to an open Derrick White to splash in the corner dagger, and then back to Prince for two free throws, the lead back to 10. LA would fire back its last salvo, Harrell's put-back jam after Beverley's miss at the line got his team within a single point with .25s left in regulation. The intentional foul that followed meant Brandon Ingram would need to step up and hit two clutch free throws, which he did in a testament of his off-season efforts to improve his stroke. Defensive improvement also showed after LA's final timeout, in which Ingram cut off Leonard's visibility and openness on the wing, forcing JaMychal Green to dish the ball to the cutting Beverley (being chased by Murray) whose shot misfired.

The Rest: Leonard had 15 points, 9 rebounds & 5 assists (6-15, 1-6 3PT, 2 steals). Paul George went 12-23 for a team high 29 points, but just 4-11 from deep range. Green had 11 points, 12 rebounds. Harrell corralled down 12 rebounds, and Beverley dished 7 assists despite only a 3-12 night.