CLEVELAND – The San Antonio Spurs had all of their stars together for the first time in a month — and the game-winning shot still came from a role player.
Kawhi Leonard made a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining to give San Antonio a 96-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
The Spurs, who have won 14 of 15, had Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili on the floor together for the first time since Jan. 13, but it was Leonard who saved the day.
“It was (a) tough situation and we won it,” Ginobili said.
Leonard’s clutch basket from the right corner off Parker’s assist came after Dion Waiters’ jump shot with 9.5 seconds remaining put Cleveland ahead 95-93.
San Antonio called timeout after Waiters’ shot. The Cavaliers had a foul to give and grabbed Duncan with 8.8 seconds remaining. The ensuing inbounds pass went to Parker, who drove into the lane and found a wide-open Leonard in the right corner. Leonard drilled the shot, giving the Spurs a two-point lead.
“We practiced that 1,000 times so I knew we’d be able to execute it,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “If Tony had the open layup, he would have gotten the layup. That was his alternative.”
“I thought I had the layup, but I saw Kawhi open,” said Parker, who led the Spurs with 24 points. “I wasn’t only playing for the win, but I’d been setting up my teammates all night.”
Kyrie Irving, who was held to a season-low six points, missed a desperation runner from the top of the key as time expired.
Clippers 106, Rockets 96
In Los Angeles, Caron Butler scored 17 of his 19 points in the opening quarter when the Clippers shot 77 percent and the hosts led all the way in beating Houston for their third win in a row.
Raptors 92, Knicks 88
In New York, reserve Alan Anderson scored 26 points in one of the few good offensive performances for either team, and Toronto beat the Knicks for its fourth straight victory.
Mavericks 123, Kings 100
In Dallas, Vince Carter scored 26 points to pass Larry Bird on the NBA’s career scoring list, and the Mavericks headed into the All-Star break with a victory.
Nets 119, Nuggets 108
In New York, Joe Johnson scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers, and C.J Watson added 25 points and five 3s to help Brooklyn beat Denver.
Pacers 101, Bobcats 77
In Indianapolis, Paul George posted his first career triple-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists, and the hosts snapped a two-game skid with a win over Charlotte.
Hawks 108, Magic 76
In Orlando, Josh Smith had 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Al Horford added 26 points and 12 rebounds to help Atlanta blow past the Magic.
Celtics 71, Bulls 69
In Boston, Kevin Garnett scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter and added 11 boards, and the Celtics overcame poor shooting to beat Chicago.
Pistons 96, Wizards 85
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Will Bynum scored six of his 20 points during a late run to help lead Detroit past Washington.
Bucks 94, 76ers 92
In Milwaukee, Monta Ellis scored 28 points, Brandon Jennings added 21 and the Bucks rallied in the fourth quarter for a victory over Philadelphia.
Jazz 97, Timberwolves 93
In Minneapolis, Al Jefferson had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Paul Millsap scored 21 points to lead Utah past Minnesota.
Hornets 99, Trail Blazers 63
In New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and the Hornets handed Portland its fifth straight loss.
Turkoglu gets drug ban
AP
ORLANDO, Florida
Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu was suspended 20 games by the NBA on Wednesday after testing positive for steroids.
The NBA said Turkoglu tested positive for methenolone, an anabolic steroid. He began serving the suspension Wednesday night when the Magic hosted the Atlanta Hawks.
Turkoglu took full responsibility for the positive test and apologized to the Magic organization, fans and fellow teammates. He said he took medication from a trainer in Turkey this past summer to help him recover from a shoulder injury and mistakenly neglected to check it against the NBA’s list of banned substances.
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