Spurs Win 6th Straight

- The Spurs now hold the second-best record in the Western Conference at 38-16. Their next game is scheduled for February 19th against the Phoenix Suns. - Victor Wembanyama has been a key factor in the winning streak, averaging 22.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks over his last five games. In the victory against the Warriors, he contributed 26 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. - De'Aaron Fox scored 27 points with eight assists in the win over the Warriors. Since being acquired by the Spurs, he has averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists per game. - The Utah Jazz's $500,000 fine stemmed from two games where they removed starters Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. before the fourth quarter, even though the games' outcomes were still in doubt. In one of those games, against the Orlando Magic, the Jazz subsequently blew a seven-point lead and lost. - The Indiana Pacers' $100,000 fine was the result of an investigation, including a review by an independent physician, which determined that star player Pascal Siakam and two other starters could have played in a game against the Jazz on February 3rd. - These fines are part of a broader NBA policy to prevent teams from resting multiple star players for the same game, particularly for nationally televised contests. The policy defines a "star" as any player who has made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the previous three seasons. - The penalties are intended to discourage "tanking," where teams prioritize improving their draft position over winning games. At the time of the fines, the Pacers had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, and the Jazz had the third-worst in the West. - The NBA's new rules on resting players include escalating fines, starting at $100,000 for a first offense, increasing to $250,000 for a second, and by an additional $1 million for each subsequent violation.