The Spurs beat Dallas 122-106 on the second night of a back-to-back, pulling away with two late runs after the Mavericks erased a 14-point lead in the third quarter. They are 1-2 and 11th, a game and a half behind sixth.
How close did this get to slipping away?
Closer than the final suggests. San Antonio led 68-60 at halftime and by 14 early in the third, then Dallas ran off eight straight and trimmed it to 82-80. The Mavericks won the quarter 29-24, and Sergio de Larrea kept finding floaters on his way to 21 off the bench. The Spurs carried only a 92-89 lead into the fourth.
What decided the fourth quarter?
Two runs. The Spurs opened the period 11-0, from 92-91 to 103-91. After Dallas cut it to 109-96 they closed on a 10-0 burst for 119-96. Champagnie and Harper scored eight each in the period, Wembanyama added four, and the Mavericks managed only 17. Fox, Harper, Champagnie, Keldon Johnson and Wembanyama were the closing five.
Which Spurs earned their grades against Dallas?
Wembanyama gets an A-minus: 23 points on 9-of-18, four blocks and a plus-32 in 29 minutes, despite 2-of-6 from three. Fox earns the same for nine assists, three steals and a plus-25. Harper gets a B-plus for 22 points and two steals, though he shot 3-of-8 from deep. Luke Kornet was the low mark at minus-18 in 14 minutes.
Did Dallas being shorthanded change the read?
It tempers it. The Mavericks played without Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Santi Aldama and three others, and they were on a back-to-back too. A 23-point lead was what the Spurs should have built. The third-quarter slide, when the starters set the tone and the second unit gave it back, is the part worth fixing before Tuesday.
Where does this leave the Spurs in the standings?
At 1-2 they sit 11th, half a game behind the Suns for tenth and 1.5 behind the 2-0 Timberwolves in sixth. Next up is the Kings at home Tuesday, then the Jazz on the road, and Minnesota visits October 31. Tobias Harris is listed as out for his calf, with October 27 as the estimated return.
Did the Spurs beat the Mavericks?
Yes, 122-106 on October 24 in Dallas, their first win of the season. San Antonio is 1-2.
Who led the Spurs in scoring against Dallas?
Victor Wembanyama scored 23 points, followed by Dylan Harper with 22. Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox each added 19.
