Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili helped a ton, and the Spurs shot 8-9 on threes despite fairly decent perimeter defense. The issues with the Kings defense weren't gaping — they had trouble stopping Parker's penetration (unsurprising, as few stop Parker) and didn't get back in transition in the first half. Basically, this was a phenomenal performance for the Spurs. That the Kings constantly put pressure on the home team in the second half, with run after run after "you know I'm not dead" run is a minor coup.

And the Kings fought. The 14-0 Spurs run in the second quarter should have killed them … but the Kings stormed back. And so it happened three more times in the second half: the Spurs opened up the lead to 10+ … and the Kings brought it back within three or four, even taking a brief 1-point lead at one point.

I'll take "Encouraging Losses" for $500, Alex.