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Kawhi Leonard heaves into the defense of Dario Saric as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Kawhi Leonard heaves into the defense of Dario Saric as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Dwayne Dedman leans up for a shot against Jahlil Okafor as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Dwayne Dedman leans up for a shot against Jahlil Okafor as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Kawhi Leonard pulls away and makes a fall away jumper after beng fouled by Dario Saric with Richaun Holmes following the play as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Kawhi Leonard pulls away and makes a fall away jumper after beng fouled by Dario Saric with Richaun Holmes following the play as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Davis Bertans rolls in for a layup despite interference by Ersan Ilyasova as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Davis Bertans rolls in for a layup despite interference by Ersan Ilyasova as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Dwayne Dedman gets held down by Nik Stauskas but makes the layup anyway as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Dwayne Dedman gets held down by Nik Stauskas but makes the layup anyway as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Danny Green gets to the hoop behind a trio of defenders as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Danny Green gets to the hoop behind a trio of defenders as the Spurs host the Sixers at the AT&T Center on February 2, 2017.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, tangles with San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, tangles with San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San
Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell, center, gets tangled up between San Antonio Spurs forwards Davis Bertans, left, of Latvia, and Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell, center, gets tangled up between San Antonio Spurs forwards Davis Bertans, left, of Latvia, and Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday,
Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, prepares to shoot against San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, prepares to shoot against San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes, center, reaches for the rebound against San Antonio Spurs’ Joel Anthony (30) and David Lee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes, center, reaches for the rebound against San Antonio Spurs’ Joel Anthony (30) and David Lee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, center right, of Argentina, tangles with Philadelphia 76ers’ Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, and T.J. McConnell (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, center right, of Argentina, tangles with Philadelphia 76ers’ Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, and T.J. McConnell (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game,
Gregg Popovich rarely watches other NBA teams play, but occasionally breaks that rule for his former assistant turned head coach Brett Brown.
“Oh, yeah. I cheat,” Popovich said of watching Philadelphia 76ers games. “You have to root for something like that. I watch whenever I can.”
For a while Thursday night at the AT&T Center, it looked like Popovich’s team could have benefitted from watching a few Philly games with their coach.
The Spurs trailed by five at the half before pulling away from Brown’s Sixers, winning 102-86.
With the victory Popovich pulled into a tie with former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan for most career wins with one franchise (1,127).
The Spurs (38-11) used an 11-0 run midway through to third quarter to reclaim a lead they lost with 1:48 remaining in the first half. They were shooting 36.4 percent until that point and finished the contest at 42.7 percent.
Philadelphia (18-31) shot 26.3 percent in the third quarter and committed eight turnovers in the period that ultimately changed the complexion of the game.
Overall the Spurs outscored the Sixers, 54-34, in the second half.
Kawhi Leonard once again paced the Spurs with 19 points on 8 of 17. He also recorded eight rebounds and five assists.
Davis Bertans started in place of LaMarcus Aldridge, who was held out due to a sore right knee. The rookie finished with 12 points on 5 of 14 and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Dwayne Dedmon drew his fifth start of the season and second straight, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double.
Playing without Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Robert Covington, the Sixers leaned heavily on Ersan Ilyasova (25 points) and rookie Dario Saric (14).
The Spurs have one game remaining at the AT&T Center Saturday against Denver before embarking on their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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