Spurs still kings of the road
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) knocks the ball from Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) in the second quarter at Verizon Center in Washington, DC, USA, on Nov 26, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
Pleasant surprise
For a team with a lot of new faces, the Spurs haven't missed a beat.
When Popovich was asked what surprised him about his team's start, he replied: "The fact that a lot of the new guys have caught on so quickly.
"Kyle Anderson and John Simmons haven't played much before, and David Lee and Davis Bertans and Dwayne Dedmon and Pau just all got here, so they've blended in very well pretty quickly. That's what's most surprising about it."
Mahinmi makes debut
Washington's bench got a boost with the Wizards debut of center Ian Mahinmi. Signed as a free agent in July, Mahinmi, 30, missed the first 14 games while recovering from left knee surgery. He played 15 minutes, scored one point and grabbed a rebound.
"I knew going into the game that he was going to be rusty, and he was, but he gave us a good effort," Brooks said.
Tip-ins
Spurs: Improved to 6-0 against Eastern Conference teams...Guard Manu Ginobili was rested as the Spurs played the second of back-to-back games and center Dewayne Dedmon (sprained left knee) missed his sixth straight ... Have won 19 of their last 21 games against the Wizards ... Are 7-0 with the starting five of Leonard, Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Danny Green and Parker ... Gasol had eight points and 10 rebounds after being held scoreless on Friday.
Wizards: Forward Markieff Morris received a double technical and was ejected for arguing after picking up two quick fouls in the third quarter ... The starters shot just one free throw in the first half. ... Washington fell to 5-6 with Wall and Beal in the lineup.