SAN ANTONIO: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs escaped with a 106-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.
The Spurs had four players in double figures, including 18 points each from Kyle Anderson and Pau Gasol.
Every Denver starter scored in double figures with Jamal Murray leading the way with 18 points and Gary Harris adding 17.
San Antonio had to battle to win its 11th straight at home over Denver. There were 18 lead changes and the Nuggets came within inches of a game-winning 19th.
Jamal Murray’s 3-pointer with 31.6 seconds remaining pulled Denver within 106-104. After Danny Green missed a 3-pointer, the Nuggets raced down the floor and furiously passed the ball three times to set up Will Barton for a 25-foot 3-pointer that rattled in and out of the rim.
Denver finished 10 for 23 on 3-pointers while shooting 47 percent from the field while San Antonio shot 50 percent.
The Nuggets made their first five three-pointers in taking a 17-12 lead, but the Spurs responded by making their first three 3s. It set the tone for a back-and-forth, high-scoring duel.
It was a welcome change for San Antonio, which struggled offensively in its two previous games of a five-game homestand.
The Spurs scored 60 points in the first half against the Nuggets after averaging just 40 against Philadelphia and Sacramento, including a season-low 31 against the 76ers on Friday.
Manu Ginobili finished with 14 points, including six in 31 seconds in the first quarter. After sinking a free throw after being fouled on a reverse layup, he drained the first of his three 3-pointers. Ginobili would later stretch for a low pass and then throw it behind his back to Davis Bertans, who would score on a runner.
LaMarcus Aldridge scores 30 as San Antonio Spurs escape Denver Nuggets, 106-104
LaMarcus Aldridge scores 30 as San Antonio Spurs escape Denver Nuggets, 106-104
