Lakers claw within 6 points but offbeat Spurs hold on, 91-100.

The King tried his best, but didn't shoot his best.

Donning #6 now, King James brought his Lakers (15-2) to San Antonio (16-1) to face the team that kept him within one game of the NBA Finals last year, another likely meeting this season.

Anthony Davis, now sporting #23 (after a pre-made jersey sales controversy that prevented James from ceremonially giving A.D. his jersey number last season), powered the Lakers with 25 points, 13 rebounds, showing perfect hardwood chemistry with James (19 points, 6 rebounds, 8-17, 0-3 3PT, 4 turnovers). Markieff Morris had 12 points. Danny Green splashed in 11 points. Marc Gasol looked good in purple-and-gold for 14 rebounds, but just 9 points, despite 2 blocks. New Laker, Matthew Dellavedova only hit 1-6, though, dishing 9 assists.

The Spurs controlled the game early, winning the 1st Quarter 15-27, then the 2nd 19-28, cruising. Then they went very cold, so cold that San Antonio's best shooters all dropped statistically under 40% from 3PT range. Bazemore now falls to 35%, with VanVleet at 38% & Harris at 39%, but it's not for a lack of trying. The marksmen trio went a combined 6-30 from long range--no, really...6-30. Popovich almost threw up on the sideline, at one moment in the game. It didn't help that Drummond suffered an elbow injury in the final minute, either (Update: A pinched nerve, likely to sit out @OKC on Thursday).

Luckily, Brandon Ingram had 21 points (8-16, 3-5 3PT) & Andre Drummond corralled 17 rebounds with 12 points, 2 steals & 1 block--swatting LeBron late to the roar of the AT&T Center faithful. A welcome defensive highlight came just in time, as the Lakers won the 3rd Quarter strongly 32-19, losing the 4th Quarter 25-26 as the Spurs pushed the lead back up to 10. Dejounte Murray had 14 points, 8 assists as Joe Harris scored 11 points. P.J. Tucker hit a clutch 3PTer, posting a much better shooting percentage so far this season (3PT: 41%), blocking Danny Green down low late.

The Spurs were aided by Allen Crabbe's 8 points & Rajon Rondo's 9 points (especially 3 steals, a sweet eurostep finish & even a 3PTer). Jarrett Allen grabbed six boards in the big-time win. Cold as they were, San Antone still made 12 more perimeter shots than the Lakers, who now fall to 15-3 as the bench definitely gets the credit tonight for the victory, forcing the Lakers into 14 turnovers, salvaging a once-21 point lead.

Suns snap the streak, 92-93 in Phoenix off Ayton's strong play.

DeAndre Ayton would not take no for an answer.

DeAndre Ayton had 22 points, 16 rebounds (10-14 FG%). Devin Booker chipped in 17 points (6-19, 2-6 3PT) as Phoenix fought, fought, and fought some more for its home crowd egging them on to end the 16-0 streak.

Ricky Rubio had 11 points, 5 assists with Frank Kaminsky III notching 10 points with 8 rebounds.

The Spurs had clutch execution throughout the game, trying to seal the victory, but ultimately lost control after a strong 4th Quarter rally by the bloodthirsty Suns: 28-33. Previously, the Spurs had edged ahead 24-15 in the 3rd.

Despite poor shooting, Phoenix had the impressive win tonight, shooting 48% overall and 33% from long range, compared to the Spurs going 50% and 41% from deep. Sadly, the Spurs had 10 uncharacteristic turnovers with only nine free-throw attempts that made it tough to stifle Phoenix's fierce tempo. Brandon Ingram had 19 points, hitting a trio of long shots, with Bazemore also on fire for 18 points (4 threes) with 6 assists. Fred VanVleet notched 15 points, with Murray dropping 13 points & 6 assists. Drummond had 16 rebounds with 4 blocks, a big reason why the Spurs won the 3rd Quarter.

It all went downhill once the Suns took a 1-PT advantage, then nailed four free throws. The Spurs arguably chose wrong, not fouling late but not being rewarded by missing a rebound after a missed shot by Booker late in the shot clock. Fred VanVleet got a great look, and Coach Popovich called for a replay review of the final buzzer-beating swish, but VanVleet's right foot was just barely on the line, a shot that would've sent the game into OverTime.

"Ah, we can't put this loss on Fred. He played tremendously. His defense is just excellent; I've been very impressed by his play so far in his first season so far with us. We just gave them too many chances," Coach Pop said post-game, going on to note three missed shots late as the Spurs failed to capitalize on offensive rebounds by Drummond. "We've got to find ways to involve Andre more, especially when our perimeter play goes dry on us. Plus, streaks are meant to be broken, right?"

In defeat, the Spurs fall to 16-1, not the outcome they wanted as the Lakers come to San Antone next.

Jazz fall next, 99-87 in SLC.

Donovan Mitchell's 3PTer would've tied the game late.

Donovan Mitchell had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but the ball rolled around the rim and eventually sailed out of it, leaving Kent Bazemore & Brandon Ingram to sink daggers down the court. Mitchell ended the night on 17 points, heating up too late.

Meanwhile, Mike Conley made some stellar shots inside for 16 points with 9 assists, despite 7 turnovers throughout the game. Bojan Bogdanovic had 15 points, with Rudy Gobert's 15 points & 18 rebounds resulting from foul trouble by Andre Drummond (6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 fouls, 4 blocks). Brandon Ingram once again led the Spurs with 23 points, teasing a triple-double of 7 rebounds & 6 assists w/3 steals.

The Rest:

Fred VanVleet had 15 points, hitting four 3PT shots. Dejounte Murray scored 13. Kent Bazemore dropped eleven with Joe Harris chipping in ten more. A feelgood win and redemption outing by Ingram (who missed the end of the Jazz/Spurs remarkable 7-game series last season due to an ankle injury). The Spurs win was boosted by a strong first half: 25-19, SA & 30-21 SA to end the half.

Clippers go down hard at home, 106-86 in tale of two halves.

The first two quarters went as follows: 21-19, Spurs; then 22-21, Spurs. It was the 3rd Quarter when the Spurs got separation, 32-24, then more so in the final period: 31-22, to end the game up twenty.

A fun, thrilling encounter for sure...

Not helped by a chilly night for Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 16 points, 8 rebounds & 6 assists (7-18, 0-2 3PT). Paul George had 15 points, not looking his sharpest, either. Marcus Morris dropped 10 points. Even Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley were off, going a combined 5-14.

Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram boiled his way to 29 points with 2 blocks. Joe Harris had 14 points, hitting 4 threes. VanVleet chipped in 3 of his own for 11 points & Iman Shumpert scored 11, hitting three more from long range. Dejounte Murray notched 10 & 7. Down low, Andre Drummond ripped down 20 rebound with 3 blocks, as Jarrett Allen followed suit with 11 of his own.

A statement win now in the books, the Spurs eye the Lakers meeting soon.

Nuggets lose by 10, 92-102 in Texas.

The Joker had 25 points, 11 rebounds.

The Nuggets came close, ending the game on a 31-22 fourth quarter rally, still unable to overcome a 16-31 third quarter effort. Denver ultimately buckled under pressure, despite blowing the boots off the Spurs 27-15 in the first quarter.

In defeat, Michael Porter, Jr. had 17 points. Jerami Grant chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds. Jamaal Murray was cold, going 2-7, but dished 14 assists. Rookie, Bol Bol, had 10 points, 6 rebounds. Gary Harris was off, going 1-6.

San Antonio was led by Ingram's 19 points, 9 rebounds. Andre Drummond had another strong showing of 19 points, 14 rebounds with 2 steals & 1 block, as the Big Penguin sailed over the top on relief defense to swat Murray's layup attempt (that had gotten past Ingram's long arms) into the front row. Dejounte Murray also got hot for 17 points. Kent Bazemore dropped 14 on the Nuggets.