San Antonio deny Minnesota Timberwolves

(The Sports Xchange) – – – -The San Antonio Spurs denied Minnesota in the Timberwolves’ attempt to earn a winning season record.

Despite playing without guard Manu Ginobili, who is still day-to-day with a sore hamstring, and reserve guard Danny Green, who left the game in the second quarter with a left hand injury and did not return, the Spurs (29-8) won their fourth straight game, a 104-86 points victory Sunday night.

Kawhi Leonard led a balanced Spurs attack with 17 points and six rebounds. Tim Duncan added 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in the win.

The Timberwolves (18-19) stayed winless the last nine times they entered a contest with a .500 record. The last time Minnesota was above .500 was Nov. 23, when they beat the Rockets.

Nikola Pekovic had a team-high 22 points for Minnesota. Kevin Love, who scored 42 in the first meeting with the Spurs, struggled, hitting only 3-of-14 shots. He finished with 14 points.