Spurs Continue Winning, Down Bulls, 109-101

The San Antonio Spurs continued their historic start to the season, even if the team has little interest in such milestones.

Kawhi Leonard had 29 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 10 rebounds and San Antonio won its 31st straight at home to open the season by upending the short-handed Chicago Bulls 109-101 on Thursday night.

Tony Parker added 20 points and had 12 assists for the Spurs, who have won 40 straight at home going back to last season.

San Antonio is off to its best start after 65 games at 55-10 and extended their franchise-record home winning streaks.

"It's a record season yes, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't go all the way," Parker said.

Chicago put San Antonio's home streak in jeopardy despite playing without Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah and Cameron Bairstow, who were not with the team because of injuries.

The Bulls remained within six points in the opening six minutes of the fourth quarter, but were unable to draw any closer as the Spurs continued to get second attempts.

After Chicago forced Aldridge to miss a 21-foot jumper, Danny Green came soaring in for a one-handed dunk that gave the Spurs a 102-92 lead with five minutes remaining.

"I wouldn't say one play (away), a couple of plays away," Derrick Rose said. "On the defensive side we've got plays where we let them get all the way to the lane.

"We got plays where we didn't box out and they pitched it back up for open shots. Just communicating. Communication has been key the entire year and that's something we didn't go out there and do tonight."

Rose and Pau Gasol had 21 points each for the Bulls. E'Twaun Moore had 20 points, going 4 for 5 on 3-pointers.

Leonard finished 10 for 15 from the field, but only had five free throw attempts.

Thursday, March 10 Scoreboard
    
Toronto 104, Atlanta 96

San Antonio 109, Chicago 101

Denver 116, Phoenix 98

Cleveland 120, Los Angeles 108

Friday, March 11 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Charlotte, 11 p.m.

Brooklyn at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Houston at Boston, 6:30 p.m.

Miami at Chicago, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Washington at Utah, 8 p.m.

Orlando at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

Portland at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

New York at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 Schedule (All Times Central)

Indiana at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Houston at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Detroit at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Miami at Toronto, 6 p.m.

Memphis at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Washington at Denver, 8:30 p.m.

Phoenix at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Orlando at Portland, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 13 Schedule (All Times Central)

Cleveland at Los Angeles, 1:30 p.m.

Indiana at Atlanta, 4 p.m.

Utah at Sacramento, 4 p.m.

Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

New York at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.