Gregg Popovich knows the reason why the San Antonio Spurs lost to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Popovich said the Spurs giving up 38 points in the pivotal fourth quarter made the difference, per Nick Kosminder of The Athletic.

San Antonio squandered a 19-point lead to Denver in Game 2. Rudy Gay completed a 3-point play to put the Spurs up, 78-59, with 4:28 left in the third quarter. However, the Nuggets rallied behind their torrid shooting in the fourth quarter.

Point guard Jamal Murray exploded for 24 points to help the Nuggets win Game 2, 114-105. He made consecutive 3-pointers with less than three minutes in the game to seal the deal.

Murray led four Nuggets  who had at least 20 points. Gary Harris banked 23 points, Nikola Jokic with 21 and Paul Millsap had 20.

DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 31 points. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 24 points for San Antonio.

For his part, Gregg Popovich drew a technical foul with 3:41 left in the game. The Nuggets were up by two at that point, 101-99. Popovich's antics incited the Denver home crowd more.

Game 3 between the Spurs and Nuggets tips off on Thursday, April 18. The two teams are now tied in the series with one win apiece.