Spurs dismiss Thunder, await Clippers

One of the San Antonio Spurs newest acquisitions, David West, sparked a 4th quarter comeback with three straight buckets to give the Spurs the lead for the first time since the 2nd quarter and eventually the win, their 41st consecutive at home, only the third team in league history to hit that mark.  The win also secured the Southwest Division for the Spurs and they officially clinched home court advantage in the ever important first round of the fast approaching playoffs.

“We’re a humble ballclub,” Forward Kawhi Leonard said. “We just want to get better as each game goes as the season goes on. So, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing. It’s just about us and are we going to execute, are we going to go out and have energy and play defense. We fought through the whole game tonight.”

Leonard had 26 points in the contest and was a focal point of the offense along with LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists, a far cry from his first time around against the Thunder.

“I didn’t know my role, I was trying to find shots,” Aldridge said. “I think I took (12) shots that game. So it was very uncomfortable. I thought tonight was night and day for sure.”

Spurs dismiss Bulls, prep for a Thunder storm

The Chicago Bulls came into the AT&T Center needing a win to keep pace with the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They ended up on the wrong end of 109-101 loss.    The Pistons upset the Dallas Mavericks with a 102-96 in Big D moving a half game ahead of the Bulls.

In the Spurs victory, Tim Duncan became only the sixth player in NBA history to collect 15K rebounds, which he did midway through the 1st quarter when he received a standing ovation from the loyal Silver & Black crowd.

“I don’t know what they’re supposed to mean,” Duncan said. “They are what they are. Everybody keeps asking how does it feel. I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like. I’ve been at it for a long time. I’m honored to be on a list with these guys and when I look back it will mean a whole lot, but right now I’m just trying to play better, trying to get healthy and trying to help the team.”

The Spurs have little time to dwell over individual accomplishments as they prepare for a hungry Oklahoma City Thunder squad taking the AT&T Center court tomorrow.  The Thunder are coming off a 120-108 thrashing of the Los Angeles Clippers and face a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that has won only 20 games.