Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs: Takeaways and Star Performer

By George Middleton
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The San Antonio Spurs (26-6) topped the shorthanded Denver Nuggets 101-86 on Saturday night. Denver was without Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Emmanuel Mudiay (ankle). The Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.

A 34-22 second quarter put the San Antonio Spurs up 14 points and they remained in control since. San Antonio shot 48 percent from the field and connected on 7-of-10 from downtown. The Spurs have won all three season meetings against Denver by double-figures.

Key Takeaways

Kawhi Leonard plays well 

Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting. The 24-year-old also had five assists and five rebounds. Leonard is quickly becoming one of the more consistent players in the league and I’m not even talking just defense. Leonard is averaging 21 points and 7.3 rebounds. He has scored at least 15 points in nine straight games.

Nikola Jokic loves playing Spurs

Nikola Jokic averages 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds on the year. That hasn’t stopped the 20-year-old from having two big games against the Spurs. On Saturday night, he wound up with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. On November 18th, Jokic had 23 points and 12 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs. Unfortunately for Jokic it wasn’t enough for a Nuggets win.

Boris Diaw steps up

With Duncan and Ginobili out someone had to bump up their production. That player was Boris Diaw. Diaw had 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting in only 25 minutes. David West finished with 10 points and six assists as he filled in for Duncan in the starting lineup.

Star Performer

Kawhi Leonard was the star of the night. Leonard scored 20 points on 13 shot attempts. Like always Leonard defended well even though Will Barton (16 points) did some things well off the bench. Boban Marjanovic can also be considered as he had 10 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks in only 14 minutes.

Notes:

LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Tony Parker scored 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

-San Antonio is 17-0 at home.

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