Final
Spurs clock Clippers
Mar 28, 2009 - 4:00 AM SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The Big Three were back together for a blowout. Yep, the San Antonio Spurs were glad to finally see one of these again.Reuniting Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for the first time since the All-Star break, the Spurs celebrated with an easy 111-98 romp over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. It also was San Antonio's most comfortable win in weeks.
Parker had 18 and Ginobili had 14 before they and Duncan, who had 13, kicked back for most of the fourth quarter. They watched the Spurs win their third straight before, and now start the final 10 games finally healthy with a slim lead for the No. 2 seed in the West.
"We're back, but we aren't back," Ginobili said. "These 10 games are going to be different than the previous ones we've had heading into the playoffs."
The Spurs have won three NBA titles in five seasons by usually having their rotations and kinks worked out by now. But that's been derailed this season by injuries, including Ginobili's bum right ankle that kept him out of 19 games before returning this week.
Clippers guard Mike Taylor, starting in place of an ill Baron Davis, scored 23 points. The Clippers then lost another starter when Marcus Camby sprained his ankle early in the first quarter. X-rays were negative, but he's expected to miss the next one to two weeks.
Davis sat out with a stomach flu, and the Clippers couldn't do much without him or Camby. They trailed by 20 in the first quarter, 24 in the second and 27 in the third when the Spurs parked Duncan on the bench for good.
"They just make shots at such a high percentage," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "They always seem to find the open guy."
The Spurs probably won't be able to rest their stars so much Sunday at New Orleans. The Hornets are also fighting in the logjammed Western Conference for home-court advantage, but fell 3 games behind San Antonio on Friday with a loss at New York.
It was rare runaway win for the Spurs, who've had five of their last eight games decided by three points or less. They got it as Duncan, Ginobili and Parker played in a game together for the first time since Feb. 11.
"It's good to have another playmaker out there," Spurs guard Roger Mason said. "It's going to take a little time, but hopefully it's enough time."
Michael Finley had 11 points and Matt Bonner had 10 for the Spurs. San Antonio shot 56.1 percent from the field and turned the ball over just three times.
The Clippers lost their 12th straight in San Antonio, a streak that dates to 2002. Two nights after gutting out a 140-135 overtime win in New York, the Clippers are limping toward the finish line of their six-game road swing Saturday at Houston.
They'll get there without Camby. Bothered by injuries all season, Camby got another with 9:02 left in the first when he collapsed to the court after going up for a rebound with Duncan. He gingerly limped back to the locker room with the help of others.
Eric Gordon had 18 points, and Zach Randolph and Al Thornton had 16 apiece for the Clippers.
- NBA
LA CLIPPERS 98
SAN ANTONIO 111 FINAL
Mar 27 10:39 PM - NBA
LA CLIPPERS 72
SAN ANTONIO 96 END, 3RD QTR
Mar 27 10:13 PM - NBA
LA CLIPPERS 46
SAN ANTONIO 59 HALFTIME
Mar 27 9:33 PM - NBA
LA CLIPPERS 19
SAN ANTONIO 40 END, 1ST QTR
Mar 27 9:04 PM
Related News
- Steph Curry Sets Another NBA Record Feb 15
- The Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama Rivalry Has Started Early Dec 28
- Pat Frost retirement recognized at Spurs game Dec 26
- Merry Christmas greetings from Wemby Claus Dec 25
- Game Thread: NBA Christmas Day basketball marathon Dec 25
- Open Thread: Charlotte Hornets have never played on Christmas Day Dec 25
- Jeremy Sochan reminds us of his star potential against the Mavericks Dec 24
- Open Thread: ‘Spurs the Night Before Christmas Dec 24
- Another massive meltdown dooms Wemby-less Spurs in blowout loss to Mavs Dec 23
- San Antonio at Dallas, Final Score: Spurs can’t stop Doncic, lose 144-119 to Mavericks Dec 23
- Game Thread: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks Dec 23
- Open Thread: Christmas gift suggestions for the Spurs family Dec 23