Spurs defeat Hornets to remain perfect on road
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs remained unbeaten on the road this season with a 119-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night at the Spectrum Center.
The Spurs (12-3) improved to 8-0 on the road and won their seventh straight overall in a thrilling game that had 32 lead changes and 16 ties.
Tony Parker's 3-pointer with 25.4 seconds left gave the Spurs a 115-110 lead and he hit four free throws in the final 10.2 seconds to keep the margin intact.
The Spurs took the lead for good 103-102 with 2:53 left on two free throws by LaMarcus Aldridge.
Leonard was 14 of 21 from the field with two 3-pointers. Aldridge finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. Danny Green scored 16, with two clutch 3-pointers down the stretch, and Manu Ginobili and Davis Bertans scored 11 apiece.
The Hornets (8-6) suffered their third straight loss.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, including a bizarre four-point play in the final minute. The Hornets also got 13 points apiece from Nicolas Batum and Frank Kaminsky, 11 points from Spencer Hawes, and 10 apiece from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams and Roy Hibbert.
The Spurs led 30-28 after one quarter. The Hornets led 60-59 at halftime and the score was tied at 84 after three quarters.
NOTES: The Spurs opened a three-game road trip. They'll continue with games at Boston on Friday and at Washington on Saturday. ... The Hornets were without C Cody Zeller (sore shoulder), but G Jeremy Lamb returned after he missed the previous 10 games with a hamstring injury. ... The Spurs were without C Dewayne Dedmon (sprained knee). ... F LaMarcus Aldridge and G Tony Parker were back in action after sitting out the Spurs' 96-91 victory over Dallas on Monday. Coach Gregg Popovich regularly gives his stars nights off to rest. ... The Spurs came into the game leading the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (39.5) and free throw percentage (83.7) before going 13 for 31 from long range and 18 for 20 from the line Wednesday. ... The Hornets were coming off a 105-90 loss to Memphis on Monday. That was their first double-digit loss of the season. ... The Hornets will face New York twice in a weekend back-to-back. The teams will play at New York on Friday and at Charlotte on Saturday.