Spurs beat Mavericks, 113-108: Recap, highlights and more

The San Antonio Spurs took down the Dallas Mavericks in Tony Parker’s season debut.

The Spurs welcomed Tony Parker back with a 113-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Center on Monday night. Parker made his season debut in the starting lineup after recovering from a ruptured left quadriceps tendon injury that he suffered in last years playoffs.

Tony's on the board. #WelcomeBackTP pic.twitter.com/SHRkKUGdOw

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 28, 2017

The Spurs were slow out of the gate and ended the 1st quarter down 21-23. Their slow start carried into the 2nd as they went 0-5 from the field to start the quarter. Then Gregg Popovich went off.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/935335635140861952

Pop was furious over a missed call by the referees that gave the Mavericks possession and he let them know it. The outburst would get the Spurs head coach ejected for the second time this season. They would end the half down 53-46. The Spurs looked like a different team in the second half. Pau Gasol was the beneficiary of some great passing by Parker and Kyle Anderson. Gasol would end the night with 25 points, a season-high, and shoot 75% (3/4) from deep, including this 4-point play. In addition to dishing out several slick dimes, Anderson got his 4th double-double of the season tonight with 10 points and 10 rebs. Anderson continues to shine in Kawhi Leonard‘s absence. The Spurs will need him to continue to play at a high level if what Tony Parker said before the game is true.

Tony Parker said he thinks Kawhi Leonard is "a couple of weeks away…He was looking good the last 2 or 3 practices he had with me." He went on to explain that the workouts were with "the old guys…Timmy, Matt Bonner…the old, old guys." #Spurs

— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) November 27, 2017

LaMarcus Aldridge found his stroke in the 2nd half and would finish the game with a season-high 33 points. His scored his previous high (32) against Dallas back on November 14th. I think he’s looking forward to their next two meetings. Aldridge continues to have one of the most impressive starts to the season that no one seems to be talking about. He shot 13-19 from the floor tonight and an impressive 7-7 from the free throw line while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Tonight’s game gave him his 7th 20-10 game of the season, he had 3 such games last year.

The Mavericks had won two straight coming into tonight’s game. Dennis Smith Jr. and Wesely Matthews would both finish with 19 as the leading scorers for Dallas. Ultimately Harrison Barnes’s 3-14 performance and a -7  in free throws made were too much for the Mavericks to overcome. They will play the Spurs two more times before Christmas.

Related Story: San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge not burdened by leadership role

The Spurs next play the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Mavericks host Brooklyn on Wednesday night as well.