SAN ANTONIO (AP) San Antonio built a giant 46-point lead thanks to its smothering defense before easing up to beat Utah 118-81 on Monday and extend its stellar start to the NBA season.
The Spurs improved to 21-5 – the second-best start in franchise history – and retained their 6-1/2 game lead in the Southwest Division.
In other key games, Atlantic Division leader Toronto had its four-game winning streak ended by Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated Detroit with a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in overtime, and Miami took a share of the Southeast Division lead with a win over slumping Atlanta.
San Antion has held 13 of its past 14 opponents under 100 points and the Spurs defense was again well on top of Utah, establishing a 20-point-plus lead at halftime for the third game in five.
Kawhi Leonard had 22 points while LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker added 18 points each for the Spurs, who are 13-0 at home.
Derrick Favors led the Jazz with 16 points.
Indiana’s Jordan Hill had season highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Pacers beat Toronto 106-90.
Monta Ellis had 18 points for Indiana, which went on a 39-4 run in the first half to overturn a 21-point deficit.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 20 points for the Raptors, who had beaten the Pacers in their past five matches.
The Clippers edged Detroit 105-103 when Jamal Crawford hit a 3-pointer with 12.4 seconds left in overtime.
Blake Griffin made a pair of free throws with 38.8 seconds remaining to put the Clippers ahead 102-101 but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tied it for the Pistons by going 1 for 2 from the foul line with 30.5 seconds left.
After Crawford’s basket, the Clippers fouled Reggie Jackson with 9.3 seconds left. He made the first shot, missed the second, and teammate Andre Drummond got two chances for a tying tip-in, but missed both. Jackson missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.
Griffin finished with 34 points for the Clippers, and J.J. Redick had 24.
Jackson finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit.
Miami led comfortably throughout in winning 100-88 at Atlanta.
Chris Bosh scored 24 points and Gerald Green had 20 for the Heat, who moved 1-1/2 games above their Southeast rival.
Kent Bazemore returned to Atlanta’s starting lineup and scored a career-high 28 points.
Dallas’ Chandler Parsons scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half to guide the Mavericks to a 104-94 win against Phoenix.
Parsons has been on restricted duty, coming off the bench lately, following offseason knee surgery. He had eight points during a 20-4 run to finish the third quarter, when Dallas made 13 of its last 14 shots to take a 77-58 lead.
Deron Williams led Dallas with 18 points, including a 3-pointer to help hold off another Phoenix push.
Eric Bledsoe led the Suns with 23 points.
Memphis shot 56 percent and sank 10 of 15 3-point attempts in beating Washington 112-95.
Denver’s Will Barton scored 23 points, including two game-sealing free throws with 13.5 seconds remaining, to give the Nuggets a 114-108 win against Houston.
Orlando claimed its first win in Brooklyn, cruising past the Nets 105-82 behind 54 percent shooting from the field.
Portland extended its run of wins against New Orleans to seven by defeating the Pelicans 105-101, led by 30 points from Damian Lillard.
Chicago rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to beat hapless Philadelphia 115-96 and keep the 76ers winless in 15 road games.
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