SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs got exactly what they needed with a blowout win over the Orlando Magic, putting them away early on the road on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Magic took a 13-7 lead early, but San Antonio responded and blew them out of the water from that point forward. It was the second win in a row, and on short rest starters played under 30 minutes and young guys got to use the fourth quarter to develop.
The Spurs are now 26-26 on the season.
Postgame interviews:
Recap
Fourth quarter
DeMar DeRozan was able to take a rest early with the Spurs dominating, and the young starters with Lonnie Walker IV in his place built the lead out to 30 with about eight minutes left.
At that point, garbage time commenced with San Antonio's win securely in hand. Drew Eubanks took advantage of the extended run and notched the first double-double of his NBA career. Luka Samanic got in and drained a three on a dribble handoff from Eubanks.
Tre Jones hit Devin Vassell with a perfect lob to a dunk finish. Samanic drove in for a few layups, and whipped a pass across the court to Keita Bates-Diop in the corner.
San Antonio won 120-97 in a well-rounded team effort.
Third quarter
Orlando played a bit better on both ends to start the second half, but after over eight minutes into the period, they were still down 23 like they were to start.
The trio of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and DeMar DeRozan scored well from all areas of the floor for San Antonio. When the bench unit came in, they were able to extend the lead for the Spurs.
Murray drove in for a strong layup, Lonnie Walker IV finished an extremely tough shot through contact, and when he missed the free throw, Drew Eubanks was there to put it back in.
Murray missed a wild attempt in close, but Eubanks slammed it home. San Antonio led 89-61 heading to the fourth, the game all but won.
Second quarter
Patty Mills hit a three to put the Spurs up 31-16 as Orlando finally ended their basket-less streak after eight minutes.
San Antonio's defense locked in, Rudy Gay and Mills hit numerous shots, DeRozan got free throws, and after a Derrick White layup, the Spurs had doubled Orlando at 44-22. That was a 37-9 run for Pop's guys after the Magic took an early 13-7 lead.
White continued to dominate the ball, scoring and assisting as Orlando began hitting more of their shots. DeMar used a eurostep for an and-1 layup, then pump faked for free chances at the charity stripe.
Dejounte Murray drove, pumped, and picked out Keldon Johnson for a cutting dunk. DeRozan pulled up from the foul line and gave the Spurs a 60-37 halftime lead.
First quarter
Out of the gate, it looked like the Spurs starters had played a tough game the night before in a different city. They fell behind 13-7 with some sluggish play.
The bench provided an instant boost, ripping off a 21-3 run to close the quarter.
Lonnie Walker IV hit a layup, then a wing three, then another three from the same spot. On the last one, he knew it was going in while it was still mid-flight, letting out a celebratory yell just after it reached the apex of its trajectory.
Rudy Gay knocked down a few triples including one to beat the buzzer, giving the Spurs a 28-16 lead after a quarter.
San Antonio Spurs. vs. Orlando Magic
When, where: Monday, 7:00 p.m., Orlando
All-time series record: Spurs lead 45-19
Last season: Teams split series 1-1
Season series: Spurs lead 1-0
Last meeting: Spurs won 104-77, March 12, 2021
Magic's last game: Lost vs. Clippers, 125-98
Spurs' last game: Won vs. Mavericks, 119-117
Magic's last 10 games/streak: 3-7, lost 5
Spurs' last 10 games/streak: 3-7, won 1
Magic's injury/inactive report: Otto Porter, Jr., OUT (foot); Gary Harris, OUT (injury management); Chuma Okeke, questionable (hip); Jonathan Isaac, OUT; Markelle Fultz, OUT.
Spurs' injury/inactive report: Trey Lyles, OUT (ankle); Gorgui Dieng, OUT (shoulder)
Fresh off ending a five-game skid, the Spurs touched down in Orlando for another test on short rest.
Coach Popovich rolled with the same starting unit of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, DeMar DeRozan, Keldon Johnson, and Jakob Poeltl. This is the second of five games in seven nights, so Pop might work in the younger players who haven't seen the floor as much.
DeMar DeRozan hits game-winning shot as Spurs drop Mavs119-117
The Spurs broke a five-game losing streak with a buzzer-beating win over the Mavericks in Dallas behind 33 points, 8 assists and the game winner from DeMar DeRozan.
Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic combined for 60, over half of the points for the Mavs, but pressure defense from the Spurs forced 8 turnovers from the pair. Dejounte Murray put up 25 points, 5 boards, 5 assists, and 4 steals, while Lonnie Walker IV had 13 off the bench including a poster dunk that was equal parts mean and powerful.