SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs didn't waste any time or wait until the fourth quarter before turning up the defense against the Washington Wizards to win their fifth in a row, 98-90.
It was San Antonio's first five-game winning streak of the season.
Recommended Videos
Their offense started cold, going 0-7 to start, but Manu Ginobili came in the game and came up with a loose ball by diving on the floor.
That hustle led to a Spurs bucket and gave a little inspiration to the rest of the team.
"Just tells you that no one has an excuse not to do it, right? " said Pau Gasol. "A 40-year-old does it, what about a 25-or-30 or 35-or-37? So he just sets the tone and sets an example."
The Spurs held the Wizards to only 18 in the first quarter. Their defense set the tone for the rest of the game.
They gave up 26 in the second, but only 16 in the third to take over and that helped push the lead to as many as 22.
"It's a good sign. Everybody is into it, everybody is talking, keep it going," said Tony Parker who finished with eight points.
LaMarcus Aldridge kept it going on the offense end again. Eight points in the first, including a 6-0 run, six in the second, nine in the third and then added another four in limited minutes in the fourth to finish with 27 points and 9 rebounds.
"He is everything right now he is playing unbelievable," Parker said.
The Spurs also got a nice game from Kyle Anderson, the one they call "Slow Mo" started his night with three offensive put-backs.
"Just makes the game a lot easier if you can find some easy ones around the basket, it gives you a little confidence after that," said Anderson.
That confidence led him to a 16-point, 4-rebound, 3-steal and 2-blocked shots night.
"I don't know how he does it he just finds a way to make stuff happen," said Rudy Gay, who had 10 points. "He plays like he's been in the league for 20 years,sometimes it looks like it out there too."
With the win the Spurs stay in 6th place in the West, for the moment.