DENVER — Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and the San Antonio beat the banged-up Denver Nuggets 99-91 on Sunday night.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili added 15 points apiece for the Spurs, who bounced back from Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers despite the absence of Tony Parker, who was out with an injured hamstring.
Arron Afflalo had a season-high 31 points to lead the Nuggets, who have lost six of their last seven games.
J.J. Hickson started in place of injured Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson left the game with 3:02 remaining in the second quarter after a collision with Ginobili opened a cut above his left eye. The cut was bandaged and he returned early in the third quarter.
Down by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Nuggets pulled to 79-74 on a baseline jumper by Afflalo with 5:42 remaining.
The teams were trading baskets until Ginobili hit a 3-pointer and Cory Joseph drove in for a reverse layup off a Nuggets turnover as San Antonio went in front 94-84 with 2 minutes to play and Denver couldn't get back within striking distance.
Ahead by four points midway through the second quarter, Joseph's fastbreak started an 8-0 run that carried San Antonio to a 41-29 advantage. The Nuggets pulled to 41-34 on a 3-pointer by Wilson Chandler but the Spurs scored the final four points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer by Joseph to go in front 45-34 at the half.
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