San Antonio Spurs: Current Win Streak Makes For Best Start In Team History

All is well in San Antonio Spurs extended their win streak to ten games this week, resulting in a franchise-best 12-1 start to the regular season. They’re currently No. 1 in the point differential at +11.5 and are on pace for a 15th consecutive 50-plus win season (with the 1998-99 lockout season win percentage converting to a 50-plus win season).

The team only faced one definite playoff team this week, but the team’s consistency is not letting any teams get close to pulling an upset. However, next week will serve as a true test to the Spurs.

Week in Review

Nov. 20 vs. Boston Celtics – Win (103-93)
Boston came closest this week to upsetting the Spurs, but couldn’t hold their own in the second half. After a tie game at the half, the Spurs gathered momentum in the third quarter to claim at 10-point lead and keep the Celtics at bay from there. Tony Parker had 19 points and Tiago Splitter had a double double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger scored 19 points each for Boston.

Nov. 22 @ Memphis Grizzlies – Win (102-86)
The Spurs extended their win streak, not only overall, but against the Grizzlies as well with this win on the road. They have now won six in a row stemming back to the last postseason. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the bigger loss came through the form of a Marc Gasol injury. He suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee and is out indefinitely. The Spurs lead was down to one with a little more than six minutes to go, but that’s when Parker scored six of his own points for an overall 8-0 run to hold off Memphis. Parker ended with 20 points and five assists and Tiago Splitter had 17 and seven.

Nov. 23 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – Win (126-96)
This was easily the best game for the Spurs offense this season. 126 points and every player on the team scored at least six points. 69 bench points, 57.5 percent field goal shooting and 66.7 percent on three-pointers. Danny Green led the way with 17 points and Patty Mills was right behind him with 15. Boris Diaw did not play due to a rib contusion. On the other side, Andrew Bynum scored 16 points in 20 minutes and Anthony Bennett set a new career-high in points with nine.

Gregg Popovich Not Too Happy with Camera Crews on Sidelines

As a result of Diaw running into photographers during game play of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he suffered the rib contusion that kept him out of the Cavaliers game. Popovich has mentioned before that he believes the league should do something about the distance between the camera crews and players, since there is a clear risk to it.

Gregg Popovich has a bone to pick with the league on the placement of camera/photography staff during games. (NBA.com photo)

Once again, Pop let the league know that he hasn’t changed his stance on the matter and it’s only a matter of time until an injury much more serious occurs:

“It’s sort of like you complain in the street about cars here and there, we need a stop sign. The stop sign doesn’t go up until a little kid gets killed. I have a feeling when one of the big boys breaks an ankle…then maybe something will get done.”

Looking Ahead

Nov. 25 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The All-Star big man on his way out versus the soon-to-be All-Star big man. Tim Duncan and Anthony Davis are bound to put on quite a show when they face each other. New Orleans is 6-6 right now, but they have potential to go above and stay above .500 soon, especially with forward Ryan Anderson back.

Nov. 27 @ Oklahoma City Thunder
In what may be a preview of the Western Conference Finals this postseason, the Spurs face their toughest test of the season so far when they visit the Thunder. The sting from the 2012 postseason still remains, so expect the Spurs to come out determined to take this win. It’s yet to be seen, though, if this Spurs team will take a noticeable decline due to age

Nov. 29 @ Orlando Magic
While they won’t be a contender at all this season, it’s still fun to the Orlando Magic with Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic. Don’t expect the Spurs to let up on this team, though. Their execution on offense is already looking pretty steady.

Nov. 30 vs. Houston Rockets
The Spurs get their first chance to beat the new-look Rockets with Dwight Howard in the middle. James Harden has been giving San Antonio fits since his days on the Thunder, so expect this one to be a real slugfest.

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