Spurs beat Nuggets 116-97: Clinch spot in NBA's Play-In

[{"selector":"#anim-bbe2c1f0-c20c-4dd9-8b60-00037b443bca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(4.285714008321772%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-411fa93e-b37d-4ca8-9928-e52b95be4683","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.15094%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9070409c-bdb0-4ab3-b334-90d301a7b9d9","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] San Antonio Spurs secure a spot in the play-in tournament Tuesday night following a 116-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

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[{"selector":"#anim-83bdc1af-a83b-4a99-b504-36fa865f2c53","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(119.80198%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1ffb313-5e88-40fb-a125-750b3e19077a","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e033f42c-eb85-426d-ab5b-519b6f6f3320 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Spurs are now the No.10 seed in the NBA's Western Conference. The Spurs will be playing in the tournament for a second consecutive year.

[{"selector":"#anim-536059bc-2a15-4015-84ba-ce1600eed8e1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(119.80198%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0fac1fdc-0cb8-448d-9e13-6eb155b72792","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c7ec712-547c-4399-8b75-f12a5eb4f80e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Nikola Jokic had 41 points and 17 rebounds for the Nuggets, who squandered a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win after Minnesota lost to Washington.

[{"selector":"#anim-92a3ddc2-2b03-434e-9104-e20ac4ee768e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(120.13201%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-633f87a1-1833-4f60-96e1-5eec350de67a","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f24ab708-0021-4d6d-83f9-5d3a02f3603d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Spurs had six players score in double figures as they won a regular-season game in Denver for the first time since Jan. 5, 2017.

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[{"selector":"#anim-fa71bee0-a292-401d-9ff1-f239a972010a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.15094%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-78fd469b-7ad3-4d86-9dee-63165c3a5532","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-860c3f85-b1de-49f3-b766-c1d20f71445b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(4.285714008321772%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] Unless something crazy happens, it looks as though the Spurs will play the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the tournament later this month.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6b2649f-582f-4fde-9319-82e4b69d3384","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.46540%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0669aa95-9d22-4437-a877-44b3fb366982","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cca6efc5-f356-4393-8a7f-71e1ebfa4503 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(4.285714008321772%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] Last year the San Antonio Spurs also clinched a play-in spot but lost in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies.

[{"selector":"#anim-e4accc90-134c-4497-9eb7-0c57d1575cb0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.87342%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bef599e6-7d2a-483b-9b9e-59f1f19a3155","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c93a6fa7-2114-4b25-8b77-c15005d5d67b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] It was San Antonio's fifth straight road win. Josh Richardson had 18 points and four 3-pointers. Vassell and Richardson were a combined 8 of 11 from 3-point range. It was San Antonio's fifth straight road win. Josh Richardson had 18 points and four 3-pointers. Vassell and Richardson were a combined 8 of 11 from 3-point range.