NBA: Spurs beat Wizards for team-record 23rd straight home win
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives around Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-95. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs set a franchise record with their 23rd straight home victory, rolling past the Washington Wizards 114-95 on Wednesday night.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 14 points and Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills each had 11 for San Antonio (22-5), which has won a franchise-best 14 consecutive to open the season.
John Wall and Marcin Gortat had 20 points apiece for the Wizards. Gortat grabbed 10 rebounds.
Washington was without leading scorer Bradley Beal and fellow starter Nene, but their absence wasn’t felt early.
Wall and Ramon Sessions attacked the interior with Tim Duncan sitting out for rest, helping the Wizards shoot 60 percent in the first quarter.
The Spurs got a defensive boost when 7-foot-3 rookie Boban Marjanovic entered late in the first quarter.
Marjanovic disrupted Kelly Oubre’s shot and then blocked his follow attempt by standing over him with his arms outstretched. Marjanovic was active in disrupting pick-and-roll attempts and switching on picks.
The biggest boost came during the third quarter, when a red-faced Spurs coach Gregg Popovich screamed at his players and forcefully pointed at several during a timeout. That was followed by a 17-6 run that led to a 78-62 advantage.
