Spurs 109, 76ers 103
Spurs 109, 76ers 103: Kawhi Leonard matched his career high with 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as visiting San Antonio handed Philadelphia its 17th consecutive loss.
Aron Baynes scored a career-high 15 points to go along with nine rebounds while Manu Ginobili added 14 off the bench for the Spurs, who have won eight straight games. Cory Joseph collected 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for San Antonio, which was missing Tony Parker (ribs) and Tim Duncan (rest).
Michael Carter-Williams led the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the 76ers, who are one loss shy of matching the worst start in NBA history set by the 2009-10 Nets. Alexey Shved tallied a season-high 19 points while Henry Sims chipped in with 12 for Philadelphia, who finished 15-of-25 from the free-throw line.
Ginobili scored eight of the Spurs' last 10 points of the first quarter to put them on top 27-20 before Marco Belinelli knocked down a 3-pointer a short time later to extend the lead to 45-25. Leonard led all scorers with 15 points in the first half as San Antonio went 6-of-11 from beyond the arc to take a 61-46 advantage into intermission.
The Spurs led by as many as 19 in the third quarter before Shved's driving layup cut the deficit to 84-73 heading into the final frame. The 76ers pulled within 101-96 with 1:32 remaining before Leonard converted a three-point play and Joseph made three clutch free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Spurs have beaten the 76ers in eight straight matchups. … San Antonio has won 16 consecutive regular season games against Eastern Conference opponents. … Philadelphia SG Tony Wroten (knee) and PF Nerlens Noel (hip) were inactive.