Spurs 98, Magic 96: Kawhi Leonard downs Magic with late jumper

Playing in their final game before the All-Star break, the Orlando Magic welcomed the San Antonio Spurs to the Amway Center to wrap up their season series. Despite leading for a good majority of the game, the Magic fell to the Spurs late behind a Kawhi Leonard jumper, 98-96.

Early on, both teams struggled to get much going, with shots careening off the rim every possible in the games opening minutes. As the quarter wore on, however, both teams began to find a bit of a groove, finding good looks and knocking them down. Despite putting together a generally good quarter, the Magic found themselves trailing, thanks to the Spurs lights out shooting in the later portions of the quarter. After starting a dreadful 1-of-9, San Antonio finished the quarter making 11 of their final 12 shots to push them out to a six point lead after one, 29-23.

In the second quarter, the Magic began faltering against a better Spurs bunch. Despite holding the visitors to 8-of-20 shooting in the quarter, the Magic's inability to string together consecutive stops saw them fall behind by 10 late in the half. However, the Magic battled back, knocking down a set of three pointers as well as a long jumper from Evan Fournier to finish the half on an 11-0 run. That run helped propel the Magic to a small 51-50 halftime lead against the leagues second best team.

Out of halftime, the Magic started a little slowly, with the Spurs regaining the lead early in the quarter. The Magic answered, and in a big way. Behind continued strong shooting from Fournier, as well as strong play from Elfrid Payton, the Magic outscored the Spurs 28-17 in the quarter, taking a lead as big as 12 before the buzzer sounded. After a pair of free throws from Mario Hezonja, the Magic found themselves heading into the fourth quarter with a good chance to secure their third straight win, up 79-67.

Up 12, the Magic seemed to be in a position to take home a signature win. The Spurs wouldn't go away quietly, however, knocking down timely three-pointers to cut the Magic lead down to as few as three with just over three minutes remaining. After knocking down four free throws to cut the Magic lead down to one, LaMarcus Aldridge gave the Spurs their first lead since early in the third quarter with a mid-range jumper. Following another inbounds turnover, Kawhi Leonard was fouled, allowing the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to push the lead up to three.

Out of a timeout, Fournier hit a three to tie the game up with 13.3 seconds left, giving the Spurs ample time to win the game. Leonard hit a jumper over Aaron Gordon to give the Spurs the win late.

Leonard led the Spurs, finishing with a game high 29. Aldridge finished the night with 21, with Patty Mills adding 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds off the bench. Danny Green rounded out Spurs in double figures, finishing with 12.

Fournier did much of the damage for the Magic, finishing with 28. Nikola Vucevic finished with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double. Victor Oladipo scored 14, with backcourt mate Elfrid Payton adding 13 points, six assists and six rebounds. Mario Hezonja continued his strong play off the bench, finishing with 12.