By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun
ANKARA (AA) - The San Antonio Spurs defeated the new-look Chicago Bulls 120-104 late Saturday, giving head legendary coach Gregg Popovich the 1300th victory of his career.
Trying to survive in the Western Conference's tough playoff battle, the Spurs made a fast start to the match and got the early lead. After a 33-20 first quarter, the Spurs increased their lead with another solid second-quarter performance, 32-19.
The 26-point first-half lead proved enough to beat the Bulls, the team that newly acquired All-Star Nikola Vucevic through a trade.
Vucevic scored 21 points in his first game as a Bull, while another All-Star, Zach LaVine, scored 18 points in the loss.
For the winning side, Jacob Poeltl scored 20 points, DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 17 points and Derrick White added 16 of his own.
The win also had a special meaning for Head Coach Gregg Popovich. He got his 1300th victory as a head coach, the third-most in NBA history.
Lenny Wilkens (1332) and Don Nelson (1335) managed to get to 1300 wins in their head coaching careers.
*Saturday's results:
Minnesota Timberwolves-Houston Rockets: 107-129
Milwaukee Bucks-New York Knicks: 96-102
Washington Wizards-Detroit Pistons: 106-92
San Antonio Spurs-Chicago Bulls: 120-104
New Orleans Pelicans-Dallas Mavericks: 112-103
Oklahoma City Thunder-Boston Celtics: 94-111
Utah Jazz-Memphis Grizzlies: 126-110
Los Angeles Clippers-Philadelphia 76ers: 122-112
Sacramento Kings-Cleveland Cavaliers: 100-98
*Friday's results:
Detroit Pistons-Brooklyn Nets: 111-113
Milwaukee Bucks-Boston Celtics: 114-122
Toronto Raptors-Phoenix Suns: 100-104
New Orleans Pelicans-Denver Nuggets: 108-113
Minnesota Timberwolves-Houston Rockets: 107-101
Orlando Magic-Portland Trail Blazers: 105-112
Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat: 110-105
Dallas Mavericks-Indiana Pacers: 94-109
Utah Jazz-Memphis Grizzlies: 117-114
Golden State Warriors-Atlanta Hawks: 108-124
Los Angeles Lakers-Cleveland Cavaliers: 100-86
*First team home team