The San Antonio Spurs denied Minnesota 104-86 on Sunday in the Timberwolves’ attempt to earn a winning season record, reports Reuters.
Despite playing without guard Manu Ginobili, who is still day-to-day with a sore hamstring, and reserve guard Danny Green, who left the game in the second quarter with a left hand injury and did not return, the Spurs (29-8) won their fourth straight game.
Kawhi Leonard led a balanced Spurs attack with 17 points and six rebounds. Tim Duncan added 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in the win.
The Timberwolves (18-19) stayed winless the last nine times they entered a contest with a .500 record. The last time Minnesota was above .500 was Nov. 23, when they beat the Rockets.
Nikola Pekovic had a team-high 22 points for Minnesota. Kevin Love, who scored 42 in the first meeting with the Spurs, struggled, hitting only three of 14 shots. He finished with 14 points.
The Memphis Grizzlies prevailed despite blowing a 13-point third-quarter lead in a 108-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Memphis point guard Mike Conley finished with 21 points with 13 assists and four steals while power forward Zach Randolph also had a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
After trailing for much of the night, the Hawks (20-18) actually took an 82-79 lead early in the fourth before the home Grizzlies regained control thanks in part to Mike Miller, who scored eight of his 15 points in the fourth.
Paul Millsap paced Atlanta with 21 points and point guard Jeff Teague finished with 20 points
Shooting guard Courtney Lee scored 15 points in his first start for the Grizzlies (17-19) since being acquired from the Boston Celtics.
Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points, forward Rudy Gay added 20, and the Sacramento Kings routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-80 for their season-high third straight victory.
DeMarcus Cousins added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings (13-22).
Guard C.J. Miles led the Cavaliers (13-24) with 14 points.
At 44 points, the Kings had their largest margin of victory this season. They also allowed the fewest points in any their games this season.
-With New Age input
