Spurs overcome and survive against Suns in Phoenix, 107-97.

Devin Booker was hounded in the final minutes, finishing with 21 points.

The Suns were a step ahead of San Antonio's defense all night long, until the final quarter. Previously, Phoenix had nearly run away with the lead, growing it into double-digits twice with the Spurs clearly on the ropes. TJ Warren hounded San Antonio's shooters and scorers, Jeremy Lamb and Iman Shumpert, leaving the trio of Kawhi/Pau/Patty to fend for the win streak, realized through a dominant 38-20 fourth quarter eruption.

Stepping up, Kyle O'Quinn had some nice defensive plays with 4 blocks, 6 rebounds and 1 steal. Davis Bertans had four points in this game, catching passes from Mills (23 points, 7 assists). Patty had a rough shooting night, but he somehow willed the ball through the net time and time again, stunning the crowd with his long range skill, ebbing away at the lead. Pau Gasol was the constant for San Antonio all game long, finishing with 29 points, making three long shots from deep to seize momentum with 6 rebounds as well. Kawhi Leonard turned on the heat late also, nabbing the ball an incredible eight times and scoring 22 points.

Kawhi shot 8/16 and made just one three-pointer but it carried weight when it dropped. He also was the lone Spur drawing fouls at the rim, seeing Rudy Gay (4 points, 2/10, 5 steals) stifled by Tyson Chandler (8 points, 12 rebounds) time and time again, despite making one floater midway through the final quarter. Chandler would miss two clutch free throws for the Suns, making the home defense tough and ultimately contributing to them losing the nearly game-long advantage. Josh Jackson had 14 points in the narrow loss, as the Spurs went on a trademark run and then constricted the Suns with defensive pressure once they were able to reclaim the seemingly insurmountable lead.

Patty finished with 6 three-pointers for the Spurs, also slipping in two steals, one in the final minute. Speaking of defensive pressure, Bismack Biyombo got some nice dunks for 8 points and 6 blocks. Jeremy Lamb was able to make some shots early, including a nice step-back jumper for 11 points. The Suns must be devastated, having shot better, rebounded better and gotten more to the free throw line, but they committed 20 turnovers by the end of things and the Spurs won the column of assists. Phoenix now falls to 14-14 so far out west.

With this sweet victory, the win streak rises to 12, putting the Spurs at 24-3 on the season. It is not likely to last, however, with a tough road trip ahead that includes San Antonio's rivals: Houston, Dallas and Portland, not to forget the Clippers and having to host the Jazz back home once it's over.

Spurs prevail against Celtics, 106-109, win streak rises to 11.

Kawhi Leonard made a go-ahead layup after a fabulous steal.

With ten seconds left in the game, Kawhi Leonard ripped the ball away and sped up the court. Boston's defense recovered, but Leonard made a tough layup at the basket, giving the Spurs a 107-106 lead with 7 seconds left. Boston would miss their next shot, as Biyombo passed the ball back to Leonard, who made clutch free throws, forcing Gordon Hayward (30 points) into a 3PTer, which missed at the buzzer.

The Spurs were lucky to prevail here, having given Boston control late in this game due to the stellar play of Kyrie Irving (26 points) dashing to the basket over two defenders like clockwork. Iman Shumpert and Pau Gasol were strong aid to Kawhi tonight, though, and so San Antonio was able to remain nearly flawless at home and win the season series over the Celtics. Their win streak now climbs to 11 straight, with a three-game road trip to follow.

Mario Hezonja banged home four 3PTers in this game off the bench. Jeremy Lamb showcased his athleticism with some nice fast-break dunks for 6 points, despite struggling from long range. Kawhi had a quiet game until the second half, finishing with 20 points after having only 9 at halftime. He shot 7/11 from the field, but just 1/4 from long range. That lone longshot was vital to the comeback, however, as the Spurs were nearly out of contention when his three points made it a 1-PT game again.

Shumpert finished with 18 points, showing off his long range ability with 4 bombs, nabbing one steal as well and trying to slow down Kyrie Irving as Leonard was tasked with Hayward. Rudy Gay had 9 points and 3 steals which helped keep the victor up for grabs. Patty Mills got free late in the final period, also, making Boston pay with two 3PTers in a quiet night. He also got a payback layup after Hayward jammed a dunk past Shumpert on the previous play. Dejounte Murray made two nice layups inside, whereas Tony Parker struggled in this one. Bismack Biyombo had 9 rebounds with 2 blocks.

Meanwhile, Pau Gasol went for 26 points (12-18 from the floor) with 6 rebounds, dominating the paint for the Spurs and excelling in the pick-and-roll. For Boston: Hayward shot 4-7 from long range for 30 points; Kyrie went 11-18, making just one 3PTer with 6 assists. Marcus Morris had a strong game with 23 points and--count 'em--five threes with 7 rebounds. Al Horford had a quiet showing with 8 points against Gasol, but Greg Monroe gave 10 points with 6 rebounds.