a 136-134 loss in overtime in Denver on April 4<\/a>. <\/p>\nThe setback snapped San Antonio\u2019s 11-game winning streak but was just their third defeat since Feb 1.<\/p>\n
Two of those losses have been to the Nuggets (50-28).<\/p>\n
San Antonio, who are guaranteed to finish no worse than second in the West, would need to win and have the Oklahoma City Thunder (62-16) lose three times in the final week to pass the Thunder for the top seeds in the conference. <\/p>\n
The defending champions are not letting up, clinching a 146-111 home win over the Utah Jazz on April 5. <\/p>\n
The Spurs need two victories to claim home-court advantage over the East-leading Detroit, should those two play in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n
San Antonio must now focus after the loss in Denver. Victor Wembanyama, as usual, led the Spurs on April 4, amassing 34 points and 18 rebounds while going 16-for-17 from the foul line, with the 16 a career high.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was an amazing game \u2013 very fun,\u201d he said. \u201cOne of the most fun games. I wish we could\u2019ve closed it out.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy conclusion of this game is that it was good for us. It was a real test against a team that\u2019s actually playing for something right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephon Castle added 20 points, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie scored 18 apiece, De\u2019Aaron Fox contributed 14 points, Dylan Harper had 12 points and Keldon Johnson 10 points in the loss, just San Antonio\u2019s third in 30 games.<\/p>\n
The Spurs took the setback in stride, preferring to look at the positives and taking it as part of their learning curve.<\/p>\n
\u201cA game like that was something that we needed,\u201d Champagnie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we go back and watch the film, there will be a lot of valuable things we can take from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 76ers (43-35) head to the Alamo City after a 116-93 loss at home to Detroit on April 4.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia shot just 34.2 per cent in the second half when they managed only 33 points after half-time. They were led by Tyrese Maxey\u2019s 23 points and 20 from Paul George (18 of those in the first half).<\/p>\n
The 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid as they played the second half of a back-to-back, were out-rebounded 45-33 and outscored by 10 points in the paint.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia, who have been shackled with injuries this season, had a two-game winning streak snapped. But they have still won six of their last 10 as they battle to avoid the post-season play-in tournament. <\/p>\n
The 76ers are in sixth place, half a game ahead of Toronto for an automatic spot in the play-offs, with their next three contests on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to get in,\u201d said George, who played in a back-to-back for the first time this season as he works his way to full strength from a knee injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have the luxury to try to size up who\u2019s ahead of us. We\u2019re trying to get in, at least from my point of view.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Antonio took the first game between the teams this season 131-91 in Philadelphia on March 3.
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