Even though the San Antonio Spurs were back at full strength on Wednesday night, with the return of their Big Three, it took a three of another kind to get them over the finish line heading into the All-Star break.
Kawhi Leonard connected on a wide-open three-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining, giving the Spurs a 96-95 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers for their 14th win in the last 15 games.
The league-best Spurs, who welcomed back Tim Duncan, Argentine Manu Ginobili and Frenchman Tony Parer, trailed the Cavs 95-93 on Dion Waters’ jumper with 9.5 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Leonard’s heroics.
Elsewhere, Toronto Raptors beat New York Knicks 92-88; Atlanta Hawks thumped Orlando Magic 108-76 and Detroit Pistons snapped Washington Wizards 96-85.
Utah Jazz got the better of Minnesota Timberwolves 97-93; Los Angeles Clippers overwhelmed Houston Rockets 106-96 and Dallas Mavericks rolled the Sacramento Kings 123-100.
In other games, the New Orleans Hornets punished the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 99-63; the Milwaukee Bucks slipped past the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 94-92.
Also, the Brooklyn Nets rocked the visiting Denver Nuggets 119-108; the Boston Celtics edged the visiting Chicago Bulls 71-69; and the Indiana Pacers spanked the visiting Charlotte Hornets 101-77.DPA
