Spurs Beat Cavaliers 99-95 for 32nd Straight Win at Home
The Cleveland Cavaliers gave San Antonio another tense test at home before the Spurs rose up on defense for what they deemed their biggest win of the season.
Tony Parker had 24 points and San Antonio used a furious start to the fourth quarter to beat Cleveland 99-95 on Thursday night, remaining undefeated at home and avenging their previous loss in their own arena.
"Coming into this building, they're never going to make many mistakes," said Cavaliers star LeBron James, who had 22 points. "(Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) definitely puts those guys in the right position every single possession to be successful for their team."
San Antonio (35-6) extended its home winning streak to 23 games to begin the season. The Spurs have won 32 straight at home dating to 2015 and became the first team in NBA history with a 10-game winning streak in six consecutive seasons.
The team's last loss in San Antonio came against the Cavaliers on March 12 last year when Kyrie Irving scored an NBA season-high and career-high 57 points in a 128-125 overtime victory.
Irving was limited to 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting this time, but the game was just as intense.
Instead of folding on defense in the fourth period as they did in their previous home loss to Cleveland, San Antonio rallied in the final quarter Thursday.
"One of the best opponents we can play against. It gave us so many mismatches. They play different than most other teams," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "Of course, when you have a guy like LeBron, the whole team plays different. Kawhi (Leonard) did a very good job of making him play uncomfortable. As a team we were pretty sharp after that first quarter."
James shot 9 for 17 and attempted only four free throws.
Two games went to over time, with the Bulls beat the 76ers 115-111 and the Raptors hold off the Magic 106-103.
Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 53 points and E'Twaun Moore had seven of his 14 in overtime to lead the Bulls over Philadelphia.
Butler also had 10 rebounds and six assists while making 15 of 30 field goals and 21 of 25 free throws to help the Bulls end a three-game losing streak. He became the first Chicago player to score 50 points since Jamal Crawford in 2004.
In London, Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and Cory Joseph added 19 as Toronto edged Orlando at O2 Arena.
Nikola Vucevic's last-second shot from near halfcourt bounced off the rim. Vucevic had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando.
In other games, the Warriors beat the Lakes 116-98, with Stephen Curry scored 26 points, the Grizzles beat the Pistons 103-101 and the Kings beat the Jazz by the same scoreline, with Rudy Gay scoring 24 points and hitting the game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds remaining.
Source: Associated Press
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