Leonard Matches Career High With 32, Spurs Beat Heat 112-88
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SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Kawhi Leonard matched his career high with 32 points before leaving with a bruised quadriceps and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat 112-88 on Wednesday night to remain perfect at home.
San Antonio earned its 36th straight home victory to open the season, leaving the Spurs a game shy of matching the record set by the Chicago Bulls in 1995-96.
Leonard's injury could have put a damper on the team's 60th overall victory, but it did not appear serious. He exited with 6:01 remaining in the third quarter after sinking a free throw to complete a three-point play after being fouled on a driving layup by Justise Winslow. Leonard went straight to the locker room, followed by Spurs trainer Will Sevening.
The extent of the injury was not immediately known, but San Antonio's team doctors remained in the team's box suite — possibly indicating that the injury didn't require urgent attention.
Leonard made sure San Antonio was keenly focused two days after blowing a 23-point advantage in a loss to Charlotte. It was the Spurs' largest lead blown since Tim Duncan joined the team in 1997.
Leonard had 24 points in the first half, closing the final minute of the second quarter by driving past Joe Johnson for a layup and tipping in Danny Green's missed jumper with 17 seconds remaining.
Leonard completed a three-point play early in the third quarter after fighting through Josh McRoberts' failed attempt to wrap up the 6-foot-7 forward by wrapping his left arm around his chest. Fans loudly chanted "MVP" as Leonard made the free throw, which gave the Spurs their largest lead at the time at 66-53.
Josh Richardson led Miami with 17 points and Dwyane Wade added 16.
TIP-INS
Heat: Miami was without F Chris Bosh (recovering from blood clots), F Luol Deng (sore left quadriceps) and G Tyler Johnson (left shoulder surgery). ... The Heat have lost four straight against the Spurs in the regular season. Their last victory was Jan. 26, 2014, in Miami. San Antonio's last home loss to Miami was March 13, 2013.
Spurs: San Antonio has 11 games remaining in the regular season, including two games each against Golden State, Oklahoma City and Memphis. ... Spurs coach Gregg Popovich received a technical foul with just under 3 minutes remaining in the first half. He followed lead official Jason Phillips to midcourt along the sideline while arguing an out-of-bounds call against San Antonio. Replays showed Hassan Whiteside was the last to touch a loose ball after diving in front of the Spurs' bench. Officials ruled Tony Parker had tipped the ball after Whiteside, but he appeared to miss swiping at it. ... Former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau attended the game as a guest of the Spurs. Thibodeau has long had a close relationship with Popovich and Spurs general manager R.C. Buford.
UP NEXT
Heat: Host Orlando on Friday.
Spurs: Host Memphis on Friday.
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