San Antonio Spurs ‘Core Four’ set of stars got a little bit of rest as the role players for the Spurs stepped up, as usual and handing the Philadelphia 76ers their 10th straight loss to open the season with a 100-75 victory over Philly.
“The Red Rocket”, Matt Bonner, had 18 points to lead the Spurs. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 9 rebounds in 16 minutes of play. Kawhi Leonard had 5 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes. Tony Parker had 5 points, 5 assists in 18 minutes. Manu Ginobili had 2 points in 12 minutes. Notice the trend here? The main Spurs didn’t even play half the game. Cory Joseph added 14 points with 5 rebounds for San Antonio. Danny Green also contributed 11 points with 4 assists.
Last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year was playing in just his third game after missing the entire preseason and the first seven games of the season with a right shoulder injury. Michael Carter-Williams had a team-high 16 points and 4 assists. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had 14 points with 4 rebounds. Henry Sims had 9 points with 8 rebounds.
With Duncan, Parker and Ginobili and Leonard maxin’ and relaxin’ on the bench, Philadelphia pulled within 74-64 on Mbah a Moute’s 3-pointer with 10 minutes remaining.
The ‘Core Four’ would not come back in the game as the 76ers shot themselves in the foot and followed it with three consecutive shots missed and a turnover, enabling the Spurs to rebuild their lead to 83-65 with under 6 minutes to go.
San Antonio never trailed. The Sixers are now 5-45 in their last 50 games.
San Antonio Spurs are 6-4. Philadelphia 76ers are 0-10.
Full game highlights.
https://youtu.be/yhRHUOMvhh8
