SAN ANTONIO – Not exactly the way they drew it up but the San Antonio Spurs will take it. The team has now won 26 in a row at home defeating the Orlando Magic 107-92.
Once again the Spurs (40-8) were without Tim Duncan, missing his fourth game in a row with that sore right knee, but they got a big lift from a different big three: LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills and Kyle Anderson.
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Things started out great, San Antonio hit their first four shots and were up 14-0. Early in the second quarter they got the lead to 18.
Aldridge was leading the way with 16 in the half. The Magic made a run and cut the lead to 8 at the halftime, 52-44.
The Spurs had a terrible start to the third quarter. Danny Green committed two consecutive turnovers and the Magic went on an 11-2 run to take the lead.
"We had a letdown and we let them back in the game, it wasn't for sure our best game," said Manu Ginobili.
"We took the foot off the gas a little bit and ended up going back to how we played in Cleveland," said Patty Mills
Luckily for the silver and black that walk down memory lane didn't last long thanks to a different big three.
It turned out to be a pretty good night for Aldridge, Mills and Anderson.
The Spurs ended the third on a solid run, Mills hit a big jumper to help get the Spurs back up five.
The run continued that momentum into the fourth quarter. They outscored the magic 27 to 10 from 2:24 in the third to 6:59 mark in the fourth.
Mills had 10 of the 27 and finished tying his season high with 22. He had a huge 4-point play, getting fouled while making a 3-pointer, he knocked down the free throw with 7:34 left in the game.
"Patty was outstanding in that stretch, making big plays, the four point play was key," said Ginobili.
Anderson also had a pretty productive night off the bench. He finished with 9 but hit some big shots during the fourth quarter to help the Spurs get back to a double digit lead. Pop even called a play for him to open the fourth quarter.
"There was a play drew up for me coming out of quarter so just wanted to make something happen, I was able to get some good looks from them," Anderson said.
"Kyle gave us some very good buckets when we needed them," Ginobili said.
"Kyle and Patty were great off the bench, gave us a lot of energy, played very well along with LaMarcus who was great at both ends, they got us through," said Gregg Popovich.
Aldridge was rock steady at both ends, He was knocking down jumpers, face up and turnaround fadaways. He was hitting from the free-throw line and the baseline.
Aldridge ended up 9 of 13 for a season high 28 points. He was also steady on the defensive end, blocking five shots.
"Just trying to get to the basket, just trying to find my shot I felt good tonight," said Aldridge.
The Spurs hope that feeling lasts, they host New Orleans on Wednesday.
The Spurs honored the "Iceman" George Gervin on the 20th anniversary of his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
"I appreciate being part of the family, they always treated me like family. Tonight it was an emotional night," said Gervin.
Gervin known then and now for the finger roll and the famous quote, "I don't know much about that 'X' but I know a lot about that 'O'," referring to his ability to score.