QuickCap: Spurs rise to the top of the West with ugly 76-74 win over Warriors

In a rematch of last season's conference semifinals, the Spurs faced a Warriors team that was coming to San Antonio with a 4-1 record but missing its biggest star, Stephen Curry. The winner would get the top spot in the West and there was anticipation to see two of the best teams in the league facing off. The result was largely disappointing, as both teams struggled on offense.

Harrison Barnes started in Curry's place but it was Toney Douglas, who had been struggling before this game, that made up for the loss in scoring. Douglas came off the bench to counter Tony Parker's hot start by scoring seven first half points. While it was role players like Douglas and Draymond Green that kept the Dubs in it, the Spurs relied on Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard to put points on the board. After a dominant first quarter, the Spurs were leading by seven at the break, 40-33.

The Spurs leaned on their bench to maintain the lead and the subs did a good job overall. But when the Warriors' inevitable push came, it was the starters who had to answer the call. Both teams had a tough time scoring in the last six minutes of the game. Fortunately, Tony Parker has become an absolute crunch time killer in the last few years and he scored the Spurs' last seven points to hold off the comeback attempt and seal the victory. The Warriors had a couple of chances to tie it late but couldn't convert and the Spurs came away with an ugly win. This early in the season, those are always welcomed.

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• Stream: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
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• How Danny Green got off the schneid against Phoenix
• J.R. Wilco discusses Danny Green's play on the Phil Naessens Show