Spurs lose two close games against Warriors & Suns.

The timeless rivalry of the Warriors and Spurs thrilled NBA fans all over again, as their first meeting caused fireworks. A deadlock for most of the night, Golden State took a sizable lead heading into the 4th Quarter. VanVleet’s heroics (24 points, 8 threes) were a sight to behold, and a the Spurs got within a single point late. But this game belonged to the Warriors, final score of 109-118, led by a 30-PT/12-AS night by Stephen Curry, as the Spurs struggled to score in the clutch with 12 turnovers. In the loss, Randle had 22pts/10rbs, Hield scored 17 (5/12 3PT), Drummond had 16pts/10rbs, and Murray had 10pts/7rbs/12ast.

 

 

Wanting to recuperate, San Antonio found themselves in another dogfight with the Phoenix Suns, who’ve always been formidable throughout the regular season. The Spurs took a 7-PT lead early in the second half, but Devin Booker (36pts) led the Suns to a 120-126 home victory. In the loss, VanVleet had 28 points and Buddy Hield had 23. 

Foul trouble for Murray (17pts/10ast) & Drummond all but sealed this outcome, with Coach Popovich being fined along with Julius Randle (25pts) for questioning the referees in the post-game media conference, with Pop asking why his guys couldn’t get a whistle to save their skins, and Randle straight up going off about three controversial blocking fouls. “So it’s okay for their guys to tackle DJ and Dre if they got the ball, but when we got it, it’s a charge call on a flop. C’mon, man, naw. We’ll see them again.” To Randle’s defense, the Suns shot 36 free throws and the Spurs shot zero, which rarely happens to such an extent.