Aldridge scores 23 points to help Spurs rout Mavs 112-83
SAN ANTONIO (AP) LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points and the San Antonio Spurs received an early spark from Jonathon Simmons to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-83 on Sunday night and remain undefeated at home.
The Spurs are a franchise-best 24-0 at home to open the season and have won 33 straight at the AT&T Center dating back to March 2015.
San Antonio matched its best start after 43 games, tying the mark set by the 2010-2011.
The Spurs did have some bad news, losing Tony Parker late in the third quarter to right hip soreness. The injury forced Parker to miss two games at the beginning of the month.
The 6 p.m. start was 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal for the Spurs, and they opened the game like they were still warming up.
San Antonio set a season low for points in any quarter in falling behind 16-14 in the first. The Spurs had as many turnovers - three - as baskets in the opening 10 minutes.
Fortunately for San Antonio, Dallas wasn't much better.
The teams combined to open the game shooting 4 for 23.
The lethargy ended for the Spurs following a timeout and the insertion of Simmons.
After having his dunk blocked by JaVale McGee, Simmons retreated to beyond the arc for a pair of 3-pointers that put San Antonio up 27-26 with 6:41 remaining.
Simmons finished with 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, hitting both 3-pointers and both free throws. He played the past two seasons for the Spurs' Development League team in Austin after playing a season in the defunct American Basketball League. He went undrafted in 2012 after declaring for the 2012 draft following his junior season at the University of Houston.
Sparked by Simmons' fearless play, San Antonio outscored Dallas 32-20 in the second quarter to assert control.
Aldridge scored 13 of the Spurs' 16 points in a five-minute stretch during the second quarter, earning a double-tap high five and smile from Tim Duncan following a timeout by the Mavericks.
Boris Diaw added 16 points and Kawhi Leonard had 15 points for San Antonio.
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from the game 43 seconds into the final quarter with the Spurs leading 78-56. After receiving a technical foul from Sean Corbin for arguing a non-call, Carlisle was ejected after walking to midourt and sarcastically clapping at Corbin.
The frustration was understandable given Dallas' struggles.
Wesley Matthews led Dallas in scoring with 12 points, but was the only starter in double figures.
Dirk Nowitzki was held to four points on 2-for-10 shooting.
The Spurs (36-6) already have a 13-game lead in the Southwest Division over the second-place Mavericks (23-19) and Memphis Grizzlies (23-19).
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Zaza Pachulia was assessed a flagrant one foul late in the first half after throwing an elbow to the back of Mill's head while they fought for position on a rebound. The two entered the lane pushing and jostling each other before Pachulia worked his way in front of Mills before delivering the elbow. ... Dallas has lost 11 straight in San Antonio. The Mavericks' previous regular season victory at the AT&T Center was on Nov. 26, 2010.
Spurs: Golden State (37-4) has a 1 1/2-game lead over San Antonio (36-6) in the Western Conference as well as for the league's best record. This season marks the first time in league history that multiple teams have won at least 35 games at the midpoint of the season. ... The Spurs' previous low for points in the first, as well as any quarter, was 16. They were held to 16 on six previous occasions, most recently in the third quarter on Dec. 9 at Toronto. ... San Antonio tied the 36-6 start by the 2010-2011 team, which would open the season 37-6. The 2011 team lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in six games during the opening round of the playoffs. ... The Spurs are 12-0 this season when Aldridge leads the team in scoring.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Host Boston on Monday night.
Spurs: At Phoenix on Thursday night.