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San Antonio at Minnesota, Final Score: Spurs control Wolves, 116-91

Spurs get things done in Minnesota without the Big Three (and Pop).

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs were without the original Big Three, with both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sitting out for rest, and Tony Parker taking off due to a toe contusion. 39 year-old Andre Miller earned his first start for San Antonio, along with David West, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs were also without Coach Popovich for the second game in a row because of a family matter.

After a miserable shooting night in Indiana on Monday, the Spurs made three of their first four buckets, and took an early lead on the Wolves. Minnesota's star rookie Karl-Anthony Towns got off to a good start, but LaMarcus was getting the best of him early on, including this monster slam:

The Spurs, lead by Aldridge, had a 27-24 advantage at the end of the first. LMA had 12 points, while Green contributed nine of his own. Towns lead the Wolves with nine. SA didn't have a single turnover in the quarter.

The Wolves took a 32-31 lead a couple minutes into the second quarter, and SA took a quick time-out. The Spurs shot well from the field, but couldn't hit from deep, and Minny stuck around for the first half of the quarter. With LaMarcus still feeling it, the Spurs closed out the second on a run and built up a 12 point lead. SA had a 59-47 lead at the half, with LMA leading all scorers with 19. He was 7-for-9

The Spurs opened up the second half hitting eight of their first 10 shots, and LaMarcus continued to light it up. SA extended the lead to 20. Through three quarters, LMA had 29 points on just 13 shots. SA still couldn't hit from three, but were able to put up 34 points in the third, and a commanding 93-68 lead heading into the fourth.

The Wolves just didn't seem to have a very fun second half, and the Spurs coasted through the fourth. Jonathan Simmons was even able to throw down a highlight slam:

The Spurs get things done on the SEGABABA without the Big Three and Pop, and win 116-91.