SAN ANTONIO – Playing in a frontcourt alongside two-time NBA defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard, Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge often doesn’t get enough credit for his defense.But after the 97-90 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night, coach Gregg Popovich made sure the media knew just how impactful Aldridge’s work on that end of the floor was in helping the Spurs gain their second-straight overtime win and seventh-straight victory overall.”LaMarcus was outstanding,” Popovich said. “His defense in the second half on (Karl-Anthony) Towns was exceptional and it allowed us to get back into the game.”Towns scored 20 points in the first half as the Timberwolves led by as many as 16 points, but he managed to tally just four after halftime.”I’ve always tried to play defense,” said Aldridge, who is earning $20.575 million this season primarily because of his reputation as a scorer.
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