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DEVIN VASSELL

Spurs dominate second half to beat short-handed Magic

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio played its first home game with fans and welcomed back four players who sat almost a month due to COVID-19 protocols. San Antonio held an opponent under 80 points for the first time since beating Golden State 89-75 on March 19, 2018. While that quartet returned fully, San Antonio was without veterans DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. San Antonio is attempting to trade Aldridge after agreeing to part ways with the veteran forward after his role was lessened. … San Antonio is 16-2 when leading by 10 points at any time in the game.

Harden's triple-double helps Nets escape in OT against Spurs

Brooklyn Nets' James Harden, left, and San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 1, 2021, in San Antonio. “I thought they were great,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. All five starters scored in double figures for San Antonio. San Antonio is still without Rudy Gay, Keldon Johnson, Derrick White, Devin Vassell and Quinndary Weatherspoon, who are sidelined due to the league’s health and safety protocols. Spurs: The Spurs announced fans can return to the AT&T Center beginning March 12 against Orlando.

Spurs, short-handed and reeling, get back on practice floor

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks to San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)The San Antonio Spurs are still dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, their state is reeling from the aftereffects of a deadly icy blast that has affected millions of Texans, and one of their best players is mourning the death of a parent. Given all that, basketball seems secondary to the Spurs right now. They will be without at least six players when they return to the court Wednesday at Oklahoma City. The NBA initially said last week that four Spurs players had tested positive for COVID-19, without identifying any by name.

No. 6 Florida State rallies past No. 11 Louisville 82-67

Florida State forward Malik Osborne (10) reacts after hitting a three-point basket against Louisville in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tallahassee, Fla., Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. 6 Florida State rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat No. Florida State outscored Louisville 50-27 in the second half and extended its home winning streak to 22 games. Florida State: The Seminoles shot 50% in each half and overcame nine first-half turnovers to complete a season sweep of Louisville. Florida State visits Clemson on Saturday.

Williams, Walker carry load as Florida State survives Orange

Florida State guard M.J. Walker (23), With a bandage covering the stitches in his lip from the first half, reacts after defeating Syracuse in NCAA college basketball game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – MJ Walker took an elbow to his lip and missed a large chunk of the game. 8 Florida State played without star guard Devin Vassell and held off Syracuse 80-77 on Saturday. In a tight game, Walker’s shooting and defense helped the Seminoles win their 20th straight home game. The sophomore guard averages 13.4 points per game and Hamilton declined to discuss the reason why Vassell did not play.

No. 9 Florida State rallies past Miami in OT, 83-79

9-ranked Florida State Seminoles forced 24 turnovers, including three in a row in overtime, and rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final 4:33 of regulation Saturday to earn their ninth consecutive victory by beating Miami 83-79. Sophomore Devin Vassell set a career high for the second consecutive game by leading Florida State with 23 points while adding 11 rebounds and five assists. M.J. Walker added 19 points in 23 minutes for the Seminoles, who won despite shooting 42 percent and committing 16 turnovers. Florida State (16-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which began the day tied with No. The Hurricanes play Tuesday at Duke, which won 95-62 when the teams met Jan. 4.

Walker leads No. 18 FSU to 78-65 win over No. 7 Louisville

It was his first action since suffering a bone bruise in a win over North Alabama last Saturday. “I give all the credit to Florida State,” Louisville coach Chris Mack said. Three of four Louisville guards who played 14 or more minutes were 6-2 or shorter. HOMECOMING OF SORTSThe trip to Louisville allowed Hamilton to reconnect with his old boss, former Kentucky coach Joe B. Louisville: Playing for the third time in 17 days, the Cardinals had their worst shooting half of the season in the first half.

Seminoles, their defense not resting, top Georgia Tech 70-58

Ron DeSantis and his daughter Madison, 3, watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Florida State and Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida State knows its defense goes a long way. 18 Seminoles blocked nine shots and created 11 steals to beat Georgia Tech 70-58 Tuesday for their 15th straight home victory. “They are very, very good defensively,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said. The 20 turnovers by Georgia Tech were one short of its season high.