Spurs at 76ers
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs look for their sixth consecutive victory when they visit the Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. San Antonio defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 89-84 on Monday to get its season-long nine-game road trip off to a good start. The victory was just the fourth in 12 road games for the Spurs. “We are improving on the road,” guard Tony Parker said. “We’re going in the right direction.” A way to validate Parker’s assessment would be by beating the 76ers, who are 13-3 at home and have the league’s fourth-best overall mark. Philadelphia has won six of seven entering the contest after beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The 76ers committed a season-low four turnovers and won despite being outrebounded 55-30. “That was an amazing win for us,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “I didn’t know how we were going to battle through their size … I don’t know that I’ve ever won a game where we were outrebounded by 25.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports (San Antonio), Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia)
ABOUT THE SPURS (17-9): Forward Tim Duncan played a superb contest against Memphis with 19 points and season highs in rebounds (17) and blocked shots (five). The 35-year-old veteran had 13 points and 15 rebounds two nights earlier against the Oklahoma City Thunder and has back-to-back double-doubles for just the second time this season. The Spurs rest Duncan whenever they can to keep him fresh and the plan is working thus far. He is averaging a career-low 27 1/2 minutes per game while posting 13.8 points and 8.2 rebounds.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (18-7): Philadelphia could be without two of its top inside players. Forward Elton Brand has missed two straight games with a sprained thumb and center Spencer Hawes is doubtful with back pain. Hawes has only been back for two games after missing 10 with an Achilles’ tendon injury. Brand wanted to play against the Lakers but Collins said he wasn’t healed enough to handle the ball effectively. Brand is averaging 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds and Hawes is averaging 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Philadelphia has won four straight and nine of its last 11 home games against San Antonio.
2. Sixers guard Lou Williams scored 14 of his 24 points against the Lakers in the fourth quarter and has six double-digit final quarters this season.
3. Duncan is averaging 21.1 points and 11.2 rebounds in 27 career games against Philadelphia.