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Duncan helps Spurs blitz Warriors

Mar 27, 2007 - 6:44 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs look ready for the postseason.

Superstar Tim Duncan scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half to lead six players in double figures as the Spurs coasted to a 126-89 triumph over the slumping Golden State Warriors.

All-Star Tony Parker had 20 points and nine assists and Michael Finley also scored 20 off the bench for San Antonio, which has won at least 50 games for the eighth consecutive season.

"Our three main players all played well, and the guys off the bench played well so it was one of those nights where everything clicked for us," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

The Spurs, who have won 16 of their last 18 games, wasted little time in the first half as they jumped out to a commanding 73-54 lead at halftime. They shot a blistering 67 percent (27-of-40) from the floor for the half.

San Antonio continued to pull away in the second half, using an impressive 25-5 third-quarter ending burst to extend its edge to 102-66 at the start of the fourth period.

"We played really good again," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "We didn't let their pressure at the beginning of the third quarter bother us. We moved the ball really well and defensively we were great too so it was a great overall performance."

It marked as second straight blowout triumph over the Spurs, who breezed to a 120-79 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday.

"It's not the way we plan to come in and win games but its great to have games like that," Duncan said. "We've been moving the ball really well."

With Monday's defeat, the Warriors (33-39) fell two games behind the idle Los Angeles Clippers (34-36) for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race with 10 games left.

"We're not going to say we're out of it until we're mathematically out of it," Golden State forward Al Harrington said. "We still got 10 games left, and 10 games that we can win so that's all we focus on is trying to win as many games as possible."

"It's going to be tough, making the playoffs isn't a easy thing," Warriors swingman Jason Richardson said. "You've got to be a good team and you've got to win games so its going to be tough for us, but I think we're going to be up for the challenge and we'll fight to the end."

Baron Davis and Monte Ellis each netted 17 points for Golden State, which has lost three of its last four games and shot just 37 percent (33-of-89).

"There are no reasons, no excuses," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "We had nothing in the tank. We have been able to find some juice at home, but not (Monday). Everybody was up and mentally ready to go but we made a lot of mental errors."