Pacers 100 - 106 Spurs
Final
  for this game

Spurs take down Pacers without Popovich

Nov 27, 2014 - 5:45 AM San Antonio, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Manu Ginobili scored 28 points off the bench and without coach Gregg Popovich on the bench, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 on Wednesday.

Two-time Euroleague coach of the year Ettore Messina, who is a first-year assistant with San Antonio, coached in place of Popovich, who underwent a minor medical procedure prior to the game.

"It is not easy to replace Coach Popovich, even if it is just for one game," Ginobili said. "He needed this win and I am happy that we gave it to him."

Popovich will miss an undisclosed amount of time.

Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard both deposited 21 points for the Spurs, winners of five straight. Leonard also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, and Tim Duncan went for 17 points with six boards.

Rodney Stuckey netted 22 points to pace the undermanned Pacers, who were without center Roy Hibbert for the second straight game. Hibbert left Saturday's loss to Phoenix with a sprained left ankle.

San Antonio trailed 91-86 midway through the fourth, but Leonard made a short jumper and Parker potted a 3-pointer to tie the game and force an Indiana timeout. Out of the huddle, Leonard hit from deep to put the hosts back in front.

The reigning champs put their foot on the gas and finished Indiana off after that. Duncan made a running layup and Parker found Ginobili for an open 3 from the left wing. By the time Luis Scola ended the 13-0 run with a jumper, the game was just about out of reach.

"There is a reason they have won five championships," Stuckey said. "Ginobili is Ginobili. Parker does what he does. Tim Duncan does what he does. That is their trio right there and they do it well."

Even including Chris Copeland's four-point play with 1:36 remaining, the Spurs closed the game on a 20-7 run.

The Pacers were the better team in the opening 24 minutes. They had just three turnovers and led 55-50 at halftime.

Game Notes

The Spurs are 13-1 in their last 14 meetings with Indiana ... San Antonio outscored Indiana 18-4 in transition ... There were 13 ties and eight lead changes.






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