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Streaking Spurs top Clippers in OT

Feb 19, 2012 - 7:52 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Gary Neal sank five three-pointers, including the game-tying shot with 5.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the go-ahead trey late in overtime, to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their 10th straight win with a 103-100 decision over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Neal finished with 17 points, while Tony Parker recorded a game-high 30 with 10 assists for the Spurs, who reached 10 consecutive wins for the first time since December 3-22, 2010.

The news was not all good for the Spurs, who lost guard Manu Ginobili to a strained left oblique muscle. Backup forward-center Tiago Splitter left with a sprained right calf in the first quarter.

Blake Griffin had the first 20-20 game of his career with 22 points and 20 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 21 points with six assists as the Clippers had their two-game win streak snapped.

Randy Foye dropped in a season-high 21 points in a losing effort for Los Angeles.

"This was a tough one to swallow. We have to do a better job of closing games out," Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I'm proud of the way the guys battled."

Neal closed out the third quarter by nailing a three-pointer and sinking a pair of foul shots to put the Spurs on top, 70-67, at the end of three quarters.

Neal recorded his eighth straight point with a shot from beyond the arc to start the fourth and San Antonio held at least a four-point lead over the next three minutes until the Clippers reeled off a 10-2 run to take a slim, 81-80, lead with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth.

A Parker layup put the Spurs back on top, but Caron Butler was fouled while sinking a trey and his four-point play gave LA an 85-82 advantage.

San Antonio netted the next seven points to take an 89-85 advantage with 2 1/2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers battled back, taking a 91-90 lead with under a minute remaining on Paul's driving layup.

Parker was then fouled on a layup attempt and made both foul shots to give the Spurs a one-point lead with 32.9 seconds left.

But coming out of a timeout, Paul was fouled and made both free throws for a 93-92 LA advantage. Duncan's short, off-balance shot on the ensuing touch was no good, and Paul's two free throws gave the Clippers a three-point lead with 12.6 seconds left.

Neal then lost the ball on the Spurs' inbounds pass and Foye recovered for the Clippers, seemingly sealing the win for Los Angeles, but Ryan Gomes' inbounds was off the mark and Paul had to throw the ball away to avoid a backcourt violation.

The toss went right to Neal at the top of the key and he immediately dropped in a three-pointer to knot the game at 95 with 5.7 seconds left.

"I though I was going to chase Chris and foul him, but he caught it and threw it right to me," said Neal. "I was a little stunned when I got it."

Paul's baseline jumper at the buzzer rimmed out to force overtime.

Paul opened the scoring in the extra period with a pair of foul shots with 3:26 remaining in OT.

That would be the last time the Clippers had the lead, however, as Matt Bonner's three-pointer put the Spurs back on top.

Los Angeles would tie the game at 98 when Griffin went 1-for-2 at the foul line with 42.5 seconds left in OT, but Neal responded with a trey on the other end to give the Spurs the lead for good and the San Antonio made enough free throws down the stretch to hold off the Clippers.

"A crazy game," said Parker. "We get the ball back and [Neal] hits a big three. That game could have gone either way."

The Clippers held a 26-15 advantage after the first quarter behind 10 points from Griffin.

But the Spurs fought back in the second, closing the frame with a 17-5 run to take a 45-43 lead into the break on Parker's driving layup in the closing seconds.

Game Notes

San Antonio improved to 4-1 in overtime this season, while Los Angeles fell to 2-2...The Spurs have now won seven straight games on the road to improve their road record to 9-8...San Antonio has won 28 of the last 30 meetings with the Clippers.