Spurs dominate second half in win over Blazers
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge each had 22 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-110 Thursday night to secure the second-best home start to a season in league history.
The Spurs have won 34 straight at home to open the season and only trail the 37 wins by the Chicago Bulls during their historic 72-victory season in 1995-96. The Orlando Magic won 33 straight to open the season that same season.
A dominant third quarter enabled San Antonio to sit its starters for much of the fourth quarter in advance of Saturday's showdown with Golden State. The Warriors and the Spurs have both clinched playoff berths and division titles and are on pace to finish with two of the three best single-season records in league history.
Tony Parker had 18 points and a season-high 16 assists. The Spurs shot 52 percent while committing seven turnovers, which was one off its season low.
C.J. McCollum had 26 points and Damian Lillard had 23 for Portland.
San Antonio only had two turnovers in the first half while shooting 50 percent from the field but had trouble gaining any separation from Portland.
But as they have done throughout their home winning streak, the Spurs dominated the start of the second half to take command of the game. San Antonio opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run, with Aldridge scoring seven points and Leonard igniting the run with a 3-pointer. The Spurs had 14 assists on 16 field goals in the third quarter.
Leonard had 11 points in the third quarter, providing a boost on offense and defense. The 6-foot-7 forward wrapped a pass to Duncan for an uncontested dunk after drawing three defenders in the lane. Leonard then disrupted a 3-point attempt and then drained his own 3 on the ensuing possession.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Portland forward/center Meyers Leonard is expected to miss at least three games after dislocating his left shoulder in practice Wednesday. The injury occurred after Gerald Henderson swiped at his arm. Leonard dislocated the same shoulder against San Antonio on Nov. 11, leading to a seven-game absence. ... The Trail Blazers have won 16 of their past 24 games. ... Portland is 20-1 when leading at the half and 2-13 when trailing. ... The Trail Blazers, who play Friday in New Orleans, are 12-17 in back-to-back games.
Spurs: Aldridge has averaged 17 points and six rebounds in three games against the Trail Blazers this season. The 6-foot-11 forward left Portland to sign with San Antonio in the offseason. ... The Spurs have won 54 of its past 62 games. ... San Antonio took a 56-54 lead at the half when Patty Mills drained a pair of free throws after being fouled near midcourt by Lillard with 0.1 seconds remaining.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: At New Orleans on Friday.
Spurs: Host Golden State on Saturday.
