Leonard fuels Spurs past Pistons
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Kawhi Leonard had 32 points, six rebounds and five assists and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed while rolling to a 103-92 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night at The Palace.
LaMarcus Aldridge recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds and Dewayne Dedmon had a season-high 17 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for San Antonio (41-12), which improved to 2-1 in its eight-game Rodeo road trip.
Danny Green tossed in 12 points, David Lee chipped in 11 with seven rebounds off the bench and Tony Parker dished out 12 assists for the Spurs.
Tobias Harris led seven Pistons in double figures with 16 points. Ish Smith had 15 points, Andre Drummond tossed in 12 with 15 rebounds and Reggie Jackson added 12 points for Detroit (25-29).
Leonard was his usual steady self in the first half, scoring 15 points as the Spurs cruised to a 60-41 halftime lead.
Dedmon set the early tone, powering for 10 points and eight rebounds in the first quarter. Dedmon notched his fourth double-double of the season by halftime with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
San Antonio finished the half on a 19-6 run, which included two of Green's four 3-pointers before the break.
The Spurs' lead remained in double digits throughout the second half. Leonard scored 10 more points in the third, which ended with San Antonio on top 83-66.
Detroit crept within 13 at 85-72 on a Drummond dunk but Aldridge quickly answered with two buckets. The Pistons hung around and got their deficit down to 10 at 95-85 with 5:25 remaining on Drummond's fast-break dunk.
Leonard responded with a 3 and Detroit couldn't get closer than 11 the rest of the way.
NOTES: San Antonio already clinched a winning road record for an NBA-record 20th consecutive season. ... The Spurs have four of the league's top 30 shooters in 3-point percentage. ... Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy doesn't have any special feelings playing in The Palace for the final season. The Pistons are moving to downtown Detroit next season. "I have a hard time getting nostalgic about steel and bricks, things like that," he said. "People, I can get nostalgic about. I have a hard time getting teary-eyed about a building." ... San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said C Pau Gasol would not return until after the All-Star break. He is recovering from a fractured finger. ... The Pistons were averaging 114.8 points over their last eight home games after averaging 98.8 points in their first 18 home outings.