Devin Vassell made seven 3-pointers to finish with 28 points, Victor Wembanyama was dominant at both ends of the court, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons 114-103 on Monday to extend their winning streak to nine games, their longest of the season.

Vassell powered San Antonio’s offence by shooting 10 of 14 from the field and 7 of 11 from 3-point range, but the Spurs’ defence made the difference on Monday night against the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit shot a season-low 37.7%, including a 5-for-26 performance from All-Star guard Cade Cunningham.

Wembanyama was a menace at both ends, finishing with 21 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and six blocked shots as the Spurs (41-16) continued to close the gap between them and the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder at 44-14.

Stephon Castle had 16 points and 11 assists, while De’Aaron Fox contributed despite a tough shooting night, finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Detroit, who entered the game on a five-game winning streak of their own, was led by Jalen Duren’s 25 points and 14 rebounds. Duren was 10 of 13 from the field, while the rest of the Pistons’ roster was a combined 30 for 93.

Cunningham finished with 16 points and 10 assists, while Ron Holland II added 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Pistons (42-14).

 

Kings finally end 16-game slide

Russell Westbrook scored 25 points, Precious Achiuwa added 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings snapped a franchise-worst, 16-game losing streak with a 123-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden finished with 19 points apiece as Sacramento (13-46) got its first win since Jan. 16 against the Washington Wizards. Rookie center Maxime Raynaud had 10 points and 13 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season.

Javon Smalls had 21 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies (21-35), while Olivier-Maxence Prosper had 17 points and Gregory Jackson added 16 points.

Memphis trailed by just three at the end of the third quarter, but the Kings went on a 10-0 run early in the fourth in just 65 seconds to create separation.  

Sacramento has three games remaining on its current road trip before returning for a five-game home-stand.

 

Rockets bounce back to handle Jazz

Jabari Smith Jr. stayed hot to score an efficient 31 points, Amen Thompson scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting, and the Houston Rockets bounced back from Saturday’s tough loss to rout the Utah Jazz 125-105.

After blowing an 18-point lead on Saturday in a loss to the New York Knicks, the Rockets (35-21) left no doubt on Monday, leading 38-22 after the first quarter and increasing their advantage to 33 points before taking their foot off the gas.

Smith finished 12 of 17 from the floor and 6 for 11 from 3-point range while adding nine rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. In eight games in February, Smith has shot 52.2% from the field and 45.5% (20 for 44) from beyond the arc.

Kevin Durant added 18 points and 12 assists, while Alperen Şengün just missed a triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Lauri Markkanen paced the Jazz (18-40) with 29 points but was 1 for 10 on 3-pointers. Brice Sensabaugh had 26 points in 32 minutes off the bench.