Spurs fall to defeat without four of their usual five starters.
There were just two games on the NBA schedule on Thursday night, with the Brooklyn Nets eventually sealing a comfortable win over a banged-up San Antonio Spurs.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was without Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Boris Diaw for the trip to the Barclays Center, with two of his players also having to take to the court in facemasks.
“I know we didn’t look pretty,” Popovich said. “I’m more interested in results than how we look. So I thought they performed well.”
Deron Williams had 16 points and eight assists while Alan Anderson added 22 points as Brooklyn ended a six-game losing steak to San Antonio with its first victory since March, 2010.
In the absence of their biggest stars, Cory Joseph scored 18 points, Danny Green had 17 while Patty Mills added 16.
However, Popovich will undoubtedly be focused on getting his key players back fit for the remainder of the regular season schedule, as they look to maintain a spot near the top of the Western Conference and improve on their 36-14 record.
In the only other game of the night, the Golden State Warriors returned to scoring form with a win over the Chicago Bulls at the ORACLE Arena.
Stephen Curry scored 34 points and had 9 assists in the win, although the hosts were forced to overcome a 16-point deficit heading into the second quarter with an animated coach Mark Jackson desperate to see a reaction after disappointing losses in recent nights.
Klay Thompson added 22 points as the Warriors struggled through without Andrew Bogut and David Lee but ultimately they were able to give their fans something to cheer about after dropping five of their last seven at home.
“You’ve got to be able to handle trials, tribulations and adversity,” Jackson said. “That’s part of the process. Simply put, don’t let go of the rope, keep on fighting and good things will happen. And that’s exactly what they did. They didn’t quit.”
Taj Gibson had 26 points and 13 rebounds as he filled in for Carlos Boozer, while Kirk Hinrich added 15 points as the Bulls look ahead to ending their West Coast road trip on Sunday as they visit the Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Results:
San Antonio Spurs 89-103 Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls 87-102 Golden State Warriors
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