Leonard scores 25, Spurs beat Nuggets 91-80
DENVER (AP) - Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets 91-80 on Friday night for their fourth win in a row.
Tony Parker added 13 points and Jonathon Simmons had 12 for the Spurs, who were without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The veteran stars got the night off to rest with San Antonio playing the second of three games in four nights.
Danilo Gallinari had 16 points for the Nuggets, who have lost five in a row. Denver also has lost nine straight to San Antonio.
A dunk by J.J. Hickson pulled Denver to 58-56 with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter. San Antonio then scored 12 of the next 15 points to carry a 70-59 lead into the fourth quarter.
Leonard played a key role in the burst, hitting a jumper and a 3-pointer and providing the assist on a fast-break layup for Simmons.
The Spurs kept the pressure on in the fourth, starting the period by hitting three consecutive 3-pointers, two by Danny Green. The Nuggets did not threaten again.
Tied 16-all after the first quarter, Denver moved in front 42-34 on Will Barton's jumper with 3:01 left in the second. But the Spurs closed the period with a 12-0 run. Parker scored nine points during the surge, including a fadeaway jumper in the final seconds to give the Spurs a 46-42 halftime lead.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Coach Gregg Popovich on how he decides on periodic rest days for veterans Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker: "It's by the seat of my pants. I don't know in advance. It depends on the schedule, what we just did and what is coming up. This is the second of three (games) in four nights so Tim and Manu knew before I even said anything that they would sit tonight." ... Leonard also had seven rebounds, six assists, five blocked shots and four steals.
Nuggets: Kenneth Faried missed a third consecutive game with a left ankle sprain. ... Joffrey Lauvergne was active but did not play. He has missed the last 13 games due to a low back strain.
UP NEXT
Spurs: Host Atlanta on Saturday night.
Nuggets: Embark on a five-game trip that begins at Dallas on Saturday night.