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The San Antonio Spurs are hitting the road as inconsistent as ever. At least they're starting this nearly month-long trip on an upswing.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and the Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-90 Saturday night in their final home game for three-and-a-half weeks.
"We competed in the second half," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "We didn't compete in the first half."
The Spurs held the Hornets to 27 points in the second half and outscored them by 37.
Miles Bridges had 25 points for Charlotte, which has lost 10 of the last 11 games.
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets (L) shoots the ball during an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., February 1, 2020. /VCG Photo
"It's big, especially with that second half that we had," San Antonio center Jakob Poeltl said. "It really got us going. I hope we can carry that over into our road trip. The spirits are high right now."
Poeltl added 17 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes for the Spurs.
San Antonio plays its next eight games on the road as the ATT Center hosts the city's annual Stock Show Rodeo. Its next home game is on February 26 against Dallas.
The Spurs outscored the Hornets 50-15 during a stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters to win their second straight game after losing three in a row.
"Every single guy [that] was out there was trying to make a play, whatever it was," DeRozan said. "Whether it was a steal, getting in the passing lane, blocked shot, rebound, anything."
DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs (L2) in action during an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., February 1, 2020. /VCG Photo
San Antonio went on a 23-2 run in the third quarter, erasing a 19-point deficit with their defense. The Spurs had seven steals and the Hornets committed nine turnovers in the period.
"We knew Pop' was going to be on their tail at halftime," Charlotte coach James Borrego said. "We talked about it at halftime, but for young guys, they just have to go through it."
"I can say it until I'm blue in the face in the locker room. The pressure is going to pick up. They're going to get into you. They're going to try to turn you over. It's just one of those things we have to go through."
Poeltl ran down an errant pass intended for Willy Hernangomez at midcourt and Eurostepped in the lane for a layup between two defenders to cut the lead to 72-68. Patty Mills had a steal on the Hornets' next possession and tossed the ball upcourt to Derrick White, who completed a three-point play.
Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs (C) congratulates Derrick White #4 (R) late in fourth quarter during an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., February 1, 2020. /VCG Photo
DeRozan put the Spurs up 74-72, their first lead since the opening minutes of the second quarter.
"We did a great job of moving the ball in the first half, but in the second half we didn't move the ball that much," Bridges said. "That was the difference."
Charlotte had 22 points in the paint during the second quarter in grabbing a 63-50 lead. Cody Zeller had two dunks and Devonte' Graham threw down an alley-oop, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Zeller finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Graham had eight points.
Other games on Saturday (home teams in bold ):
Minnesota Timberwolves 106-118 Los Angeles Clippers
Miami Heat 102-89 Orlando Magic
Brooklyn Nets 107-113** Washington Wizards**
Philadelphia 76ers 95-116 Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers 129-113** Sacramento Kings**
New York Knicks 92-85 Indiana Pacers
Golden State Warriors 131-112 Cleveland Cavaliers
Atlanta Hawks 100-123 Dallas Mavericks
Utah Jazz 107-124 Portland Trail Blazers
(CGTN&AP)
