NBA Daily: Spurs Ride DeRozan and Mills Early as Young Guns Finish Nuggets 119-109
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Jan 2021
Boracay Island, Philippines – The San Antonio Spurs bucked on a solid offensive performance in the first three quarters, buoyed by DeMar DeRozan’s efficient play on the way to a 30-point, 10-assist outing, to upset the erstwhile Western Conference 4th placer Denver Nuggets 119-109 on Friday night (Saturday morning, Philippine time) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
DeRozan made 11 of his 14 shot attempts and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. He also committed just 1 of the Spurs’ total 12 turnovers for the entire game.
The Spurs’ compensated for their subpar defensive effort early on with excellent shooting. Patty Mills paired with DeRozan on that department and finished with 17 markers off-the-bench, on a 4-for-8 shooting from the rainbow territory and connecting on all of his 5 freethrow attempts.
San Antonio’s young guns did the finishing touches in the final frame to stun the Nuggets. Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, Lonnie Walker IV, and Jakob Poeltl scrambled on the defensive end, forcing a series of turnovers by Denver to ensure the victory.
Dejounte Murray overcame an early foul trouble to finish with 26 markers, 7 boards, 3 dimes, and a crucial steal on Jamal Murray and finish on the break to give San Antonio a 10-point cushion with a little over 3 minutes left in the game.
Keldon Johnson provided timely baskets for the Spurs, consistently attacking the hoop to neutralize Denver’s zone defense. The 21-year-old forward out of Kentucky was all over the court, as he finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block for San Antonio, who extended their winning streak to 3 and now tied with the Nuggets for the 4th spot on the Western Conference team standings with identical 11-8 win-loss cards.
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 35 markers, 10 boards, 5, dimes, 1 steal, and 1 block, while Jamal Murray, who sustained a hip injury later in the fourth, finished with 20 points.
Up next for the Spurs are the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Philippine time).
On the other hand, the Nuggets will try to bounce back, as they host the red hot streaking Utah Jazz on the following night.
How They Scored:
Spurs 119 – DeRozan 30, Murray 26, Johnson 19, Mills 17, Vassell 9, Gay 6, Aldridge 5, Poeltl 4, Walker IV 3.
Nuggets 109 – Jokic 35, Murray 20, Harris 11, Morris 10, Barton 9, Porter Jr. 9, Millsap 8, Green 3, Hartenstein 2, Hampton 2
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 18 Jun 2025AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Winners of 2025 UTP Elite Eight Playoffs Named; 18 Junior Tennis Standouts to Represent PH in International Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weights from Tokyo: Christian Araneta 107.6, Thanongsak Simsri 107.1 for Vacant IBF Light Flyweight World Title
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Brian Norman Jr. vs. Jin Sasaki
Wed, 18 Jun 2025CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!"
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 18 Jun 2025IBA reaffirms its commitment to good governance and stability in Africa
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Day One of the USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes
Wed, 18 Jun 2025The Past Week in Action 16 June 2025: Hitchins Stops Kambosos; Wins by Andy Cruz and Teremoana; Donaire Returns
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 9 - MUHAMMAD ALI WINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 17 Jun 2025OKC Nears First NBA Title in Thunder Era; Outclasses Indiana, 120-109 in Game 5
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025Crawford Refutes #3 P4P Ranking; WBA Doesn't Forget Nonito Donaire
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025GM John Paul Gomez joins Touchmove in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Jun 2025