The Spurs offense came alive in the Moda Center tonight as Dejounte Murray (20pts/10asts/3stls) led his team to a huge 30-PT victory, muscling Damian Lillard at the basket to score some points of his own. The team gelled beautifully, as Julius Randle made his Spurs debut and netted a triple-double (19pts/12rebs/11ast). Spurs fans got a first glimpse of having two playmakers, one 6'7" and the other 6'8". Andre Drummond (23pts) made a 3PTer tonight and looked confident shooting the ball, working hard over the summer, devouring 12 rebounds and swatting 6 shots.
In a flash from the past, Paul Millsap scored a perfect 13 points, stroking three shots from deep. Dillon Brooks (7pts) showed his shot-creation ability, with the usual suspects of Fred VanVleet (14pts, 4-7), Buddy Hield (4-9, 14pts) & Gary Trent Jr (6pts) stroking daggers from deep, as San Antonio shot 50% from 3 (20/40) and 56% overall, committing only 5 turnovers.
The Blazers fought back all game long, but trailed by 20+ after the 1st Quarter. They trimmed the lead to under 15 a couple of times, but Lillard shot poorly (17pts, 7-18 FG%, 3-11 from 3PT) despite nice play by Anfernee Simons (18pts) and Josh Hart (11pts/6rebs/6ast). The Spurs move to 19-1 on the season, and it could not have been a greater first game for the new-look San Antonio Spurs as Drummond, Murray & Randle combined for 60+. San Antonio totaled 37 assists and 53 rebounds, smoking Portland in the fast break column as well with 31 points.
Having bested Milwaukee twice already, the Spurs face another rival in Golden State next.
