No Tim Duncan? No Problem. No LaMarcus Aldridge? We got this. No Danny Green? Easy money.
The San Antonio Spurs toyed with the Sacramento Kings Saturday night, sitting 60 percent of their starting lineup and they still had enough to throttle their struggling guests by a final of 104-94.
Kawhi Leonard scored the first nine points of the third quarter on his way to a 25-point game. He added 13 rebounds and dished out six assists as the Spurs improved to 30-0 on their home floor this season.
Manu Ginobili returned to action after missing the previous 12 games with a groin injury. The future Hall of Famer finished the night with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting in just 15 minutes of action. Ginobili has fresh legs for the stretch run, which should benefit San Antonio greatly.
Needing a third scorer, David West stepped up to the occasion, dropping in 12 points. Big man Boban Marjonovic held his own against DeMarcus Cousins in the post, adding nine points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
Cousins led the way with 31 points and nine rebounds, but the Kings needed so much more out of their star big man with both Duncan and Aldridge taking the night off.
Needing some energy early, Quincy Acy stepped up, drilling two 3-pointers in the first quarter on his way to 16 points. Acy added seven rebounds and shot an impressive 7-for-7 from the field in the loss.
Rajon Rondo tried for the spectacular pass instead of settling for the simple look and it hurt his team’s chance of winning. Rondo finished with nine points and eight assists, but you can’t expect to win a game in San Antonio with your lead guard turning the ball over six times.
Darren Collison chipped in 12 points and handed seven assists off the bench, but the Kings second unit was outscored 54-26 on the night.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Ginobili shook off the rust and torched the Kings. At 38 years old, Ginobili is nothing short of amazing. He burns you from deep, takes you off the dribble and finishes with the best of them.
TURNING POINT:
The Spurs jumped all over the Kings to start the third quarter, beginning the half on a 12-0 run and pushing their lead to 15. A 15-point lead for the Spurs is like a 25-points lead for most teams. San Antonio outscored Sacramento 29-13 in the third quarter, all but ending the game before the fourth could even begin.
INJURY UPDATE:
Kosta Koufos missed the game due to a bout with food poisoning and Seth Curry missed his fourth straight game with a right ankle sprain.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Kings travel to New Orleans following the game to take on the Pelicans on Monday night and wrap up their four-game road trip.
