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Spurs bounce back with win over Pistons

Mar 10, 2011 - 5:40 AM San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - Tony Parker posted a game-high 23 points to lead six San Antonio scorers in double digits, as the Spurs topped the Pistons, 111-104, at AT&T Center.

"I thought he did a great job throughout the game, being aggressive, distributing the ball," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Parker. "When we really needed some offense, he was scoring when (the Pistons) made a run at the end. He was fantastic."

Tim Duncan and Gary Neal both finished with 15 points, while Duncan grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in the victory, San Antonio's third in four games. Manu Ginobili added 17 points and five assists for the victors.

The Spurs improved to 30-3 at home this season and rebounded from their loss to the Lakers on Sunday, which snapped a 22-game home winning streak.

Richard Hamilton paced Detroit with 20 points in a reserve role while both Tayshaun Prince and Greg Monroe added 16 points in the loss, the Pistons' third in four games.

The Spurs opened the game by making their first 14 shot attempts, and after Duncan dropped in a dunk with 3:40 remaining their lead was 33-18.

San Antonio shot a blistering 81 percent from the field in the first quarter, held the Pistons to a 12-5 rebounding margin, and behind nine points from Ginobili took a 40-26 lead into the second.

"I've been in the business for a long time and I've never seen a team shoot 80 percent, that was incredible," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "I thought that was the difference in the game, first quarter 40 to 26. That hurt us."

The Spurs continued their hot-shooting with a 78-percent showing in the second quarter, but seven costly turnovers allowed Detroit to hold its margin. Hamilton paced the Pistons with eight points in the quarter as San Antonio took a 67-52 lead into the break.

The Pistons made a marginal comeback in the third quarter, cutting their deficit to 79-73 with just under 2 1/2 minutes remaining. However, after trading baskets the Spurs' lead was back to double-digits, 88-75, entering the final stanza.

The Detroit bench tried to spark a comeback in the closing minutes but the Spurs' insurmountable lead was too much to overcome.

Game Notes

Tracy McGrady and Ben Gordon finished with 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Detroit...Richard Jefferson and Bonner added 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win...Detroit held a 39-32 rebounding advantage, including 20-5 on the offensive glass...The Spurs' 40 first quarter points were a season high for any quarter...Antonio McDyess played in his 1,000th NBA game, finishing with eight points and five rebounds...The win clinched a playoff spot for San Antonio.