DeRozan ejected as Spurs fall to Nuggets in Game 4

Series tied 2-2; Game 5 Tuesday in Denver

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs had a great opportunity to take control of their first round series against Denver, but let another one get away, falling to the Nuggets in Game 4 at home, 117-103.

The series is now tied 2-2 with a pivotal Game 5 in Denver on Tuesday night.

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It was a frustrating night for Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, who got tossed for tossing the ball at the referee with 5:01 left in the game and the Spurs down 18 points, 110-92.

DeRozan was driving down the lane against Gary Harris and got called for a charge.

"Frustration. I thought it was a bad call. Combination of both," said DeRozan who finished 19 points. 

DeRozan got an early shower, but he could have been joined by LaMarcus Aldridge, who did not play in the fourth quarter despite wanting to go back in the game.

"Of course, but I didn't go back in. The game was about 13 or 15 points and so that's not why we lost," Aldridge said. "Coach didn’t put me in, that was it." 

Aldridge finished with 24 points and nine rebounds. Nuggets all-star Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and had 12 rebounds with eight assists to pace Denver.

After a Game 3 loss, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone preached to his team about becoming more physical with the Spurs.

"I think our guys understood how we needed to play and they answered the call," Malone said. "We went out there and we were much more physical, and we were able to pull out the win."

Early on, it appeared as if the Nuggets had not heeded their coaches word.

The Spurs held a 12-point lead after the first quarter, but Denver took over. The Spurs didn't exactly perform to a winning standard after that.

"It was poor. Overall, the Nuggets competed and we did not," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. "Their physicality was obvious from the get-go. You knew that was going to happen and we did not respond." 

"They just wanted it more that we did," said Derrick White, who was held to just eight points in Game 4 after scoring 36 in the previous outing.

The Spurs have now lost homecourt advantage and will get a chance to respond in Game 5.

"There is no doubt in my mind next game we're definitely going to approach it like its a must win for us." said DeRozan. "So it's definitely going to be a battle next game."

The Nuggets won in San Antonio for the first time since 2012. Tip-off for Game 5 is Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.


About the Authors:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.

RJ Marquez is co-host of KSAT News Now and reports for Good Morning San Antonio. He's been at KSAT since 2010 and covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms, including his Spurs newsletter. RJ has reported stories for KSAT Explains.