Ingram cruises to near-career high 40 points; Spurs blast Denver 116-107.

Jamaal Murray went 2-8,  despite 13 assists.

The Spurs looked outpaced early, but Brandon Ingram manifested on the hardwood tonight, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and 30 by halftime. Hitting back to back threes, completely 'in the zone', making it easy for Dejounte Murray to rack up 12 assists (12 points, 2 steals). Three short of his career high performance last season, Ingram finished with 40 points going 16-25 with 8 rebounds, 2 steals & 4 impressive blocks, especially against Nikola Jokic (15 points, 16 rebounds, 7-15) & Paul Millsap (14 points, 12 rebounds, 7-18, 0-4 3PT).

The Nuggets were bested 38-31 in the final quarter, but looked sharp throughout, with Gary Harris bombing four threes. Defensive miscues proved fatal for the Nuggets, as a double team here and a double team there led to open shots for Nik Stauskas & Avery Bradley: combining for 6 threes together. Stauskas finished with 16, Bradley with 8 & 2 steals. Taurean Prince relieved Ingram to begin the 2nd Quarter, delivering for 13 points on a perfect 3-3 from 3PT territory. J.R. Smith shook defenders, defying father time for 9 points. Timofey Mosgov devoured 11 rebounds.

San Antonio shot 40% from 3PT distance, compared to a flat 3-13 by Denver.  The Spurs got their own licks in with 50 interior points as Denver shocked them down low with 80 total points, before Coach Pop readjusted defensive schemes. The Nuggets scored 28 fast break points, but Ingram got plenty dunks of his own, as San Antonio's meticulous strategy worked for them.