Final
Streaking Spurs send Blazers to fourth straight loss
Mar 13, 2014 - 6:11 AM San Antonio, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Patty Mills scored 15 points off the bench to lead six San Antonio players in double figures, and the Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-90, on Wednesday.Danny Green netted 14 points, Manu Ginobili tallied 13, and Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter each chipped 12 in San Antonio's eighth straight win. Splitter added 11 rebounds and Tim Duncan deposited a 10-point, 11 rebound double- double.
Damian Lillard notched 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting for Portland and LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 14 points and four rebounds before exiting early in the third quarter.
Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum each scored 13 points, with Batum adding a game-high 14 rebounds in the setback, Portland's season-high fourth consecutive loss.
"San Antonio is a good defensive team," said Portland coach Terry Stotts. "We didn't get a lot of easy baskets."
The Blazers ripped off eight straight in the opening 1:31 of the third to cut their halftime deficit to 56-48 after a Lillard 3-pointer.
Aldridge made a runner in the lane during the run and was fouled hard by Aron Baynes, falling to the floor on his back. Thomas Robinson attempted and made the ensuing free throw after Aldridge was helped to the locker room. Aldridge was diagnosed with a back contusion and did not return.
Another Lillard 3 later in the frame made it a six-point deficit, but a quick 7-0 run pushed the Spurs' lead to 68-55 with under three minutes to go.
Portland trailed 73-64 heading into the fourth.
Marco Belinelli hit consecutive 3s following a Mills triple to open the final frame, and Portland couldn't get any closer than 11 the rest of the way.
"I thought the defense was good," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "Obviously, they missed LaMarcus (Aldridge) in the second half so that was a really tough break for them."
Earlier, The Spurs jumped out to a 14-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Duncan closed the spurt after a Green 3 with a turnaround hook shot off the glass.
Portland responded with a 16-5 run later in the stanza, with Matthews and Batum each canning 3s and Aldridge closing it with a jumper to give the Blazers a 22-21 lead.
Mills and Ginobili hit treys around a pair of free throws from Aldridge to help the Spurs to a 30-24 lead after one.
A 12-2 run to open the second quarter staked the hosts to a commanding 42-26 lead after a pair at the line from Mills with just under eight minutes left.
Portland trimmed the deficit to 13, 53-40, as San Antonio went the final 2:12 of the second without a field goal until Boris Diaw beat the buzzer with a 3- pointer to push the margin to 16 at the break.
Game Notes
San Antonio shot 38-for-88 and held Portland to 32-of-86 shooting ... The Spurs owned a 55-48 edge on the boards ... Each team committed 12 turnovers.
Mar 13 12:03 AM- PORTLAND: 64
SAN ANTONIO: 73
End of 3rd
Mar 12 11:31 PM - PORTLAND: 40
SAN ANTONIO: 56
Halftime
Mar 12 10:42 PM - PORTLAND: 24
SAN ANTONIO: 30
End of 1st
Mar 12 10:06 PM - PORTLAND: 0
SAN ANTONIO: 2
1st Quarter - 11:43
Mar 12 9:42 PM
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