Spurs Fend Off Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks fielded a team of reserves on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs. They almost won too, but didn't have quite enough time as the Spurs pulled off the victory, 99-97.
The Spurs were playing without Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who both sat out due to injuries. San Antonio struggled most of the night shooting, but their big quarter was in the second when they outscored the Hawks 30-20. They also shot 45 percent from the field as a team. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 31 points and also pulled down a team-high fourteen rebounds. Kawhi Leonard was next with 23 points and DeJuan Blair came off the bench and scored eleven points. The Spurs are now 57-20 on the year.
The Hawks kept close to the Spurs even though they had reserves playing. After being down by eleven at the half, the Hawks outscored the Spurs 29-22 in the third quarter to pull within reach and even outscored them 28-26 in the fourth, but it wasn't enough to complete the full comeback. They also shot 42 percent in the game, not their best shooting compared to recent games.
John Jenkins scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Hawks. Mike Scott also scored a career-high with 22 points, Ivan Johnson added fourteen points, Shelvin Mack had twelve and Johan Petro scored eleven and led the Hawks with fifteen rebounds. Josh Smith, Al Horford, Kyle Korver and Devin Harris all missed the game, Coach Drew decided to keep them out so they wouldn't play two nights in a row.
The Hawks are now 42-36 on the year and have lost three straight games. They won't play again until Wednesday when they travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers for the second time in three games. The Sixers are 31-45 on the season.

John Jenkins shoots against the Spurs, he scored a career-high 23 points in the Hawks' 99-97 loss to San Antonio.
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press