NBA: Spurs extend unbeaten home record as Bulls gored
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 10, 2016, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 109-101. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points as the San Antonio Spurs preserved their 100 percent record at home this season with a 109-101 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
The Spurs were given some anxious moments when Chicago cut San Antonio’s lead from 10 points to 90-87 with 8:36 to play but the hosts rallied again to notch their 31st home win of the season.
A tip-in dunk from Danny Green and a jumper by Tony Parker allowed San Antonio to pull clear at 104-92, leaving San Antonio to close out a deserved victory at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio have now won 40 straight home games in regular season including the latter part of last season, the fourth best unbeaten home run in NBA history.
The Golden State Warriors hold the record for most consecutive home victories, currently standing at 46 dating back to the 2014-2015 campaign.
French star Parker meanwhile chipped in with 20 points and a season-best 12 assists for San Antonio, who improved to 55-10.
Parker said the Spurs had benefited from a two-day rest following their road trip, adding that the performance augured well for the playoffs.
“I felt good — I felt like I had my legs tonight,” Parker said.
“In the first half I was looking to pass more, but in the second half I wanted to be more aggressive so I took three or four jump shots to start the third quarter.
“We are getting closer and closer to the postseason and this game definitely had a playoff feel to it.”
For the Bulls, Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol both scored 21 points each while E’Twaun Moore added 20 points.
The match also marked another milestone for Tim Duncan, who became only the sixth player in NBA history to amass 15,000 rebounds. Duncan’s mark came with 6:56 left in the first quarter when Mike Dunleavy Jr. missed a jump shot.
It was Duncan’s second record in a matter of weeks, following his 3,000th career block on February 27.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich meanwhile returned to the bench after missing the previous two games with a “family medical emergency.” Popovich missed the trip to Indiana and Minnesota which finished 1-1.
Chicago meanwhile were left fuming at coughing up 21 turnovers which proved costly, with San Antonio scoring 16 points as a result.
“You shoot yourself in the foot giving up so many extra opportunities,” said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg.
“We just tried to go down and hit home runs when we gotta go down and make the right play,” Hoiberg added. “When you turn the ball over and don’t get a shot up on the board, (San Antonio) is going to make you pay for it.”
