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Spurs go for ninth straight win vs. Clippers

Mar 5, 2007 - 5:36 PM San Antonio (41-18) at LA Clippers (29-30) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Before the All-Star break, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called his team "soft" in an effort to challenge them. They clearly have responded to the challenge.

The Spurs have won a season-high eight straight games, with an upgrade in their defense the driving force. They take their streak and rediscovered intensity into Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

During their streak, the Spurs are allowing just 79.8 points per game and have shut down some opposing stars. They limited Denver guard Allen Iverson to nine points, Seattle guard Ray Allen to 12 and Toronto forward Chris Bosh to 14.

In Saturday's 97-74 road rout of Houston, San Antonio's defense was enough to overcome the absence of All-Star Tony Parker and a poor game by backcourt mate Manu Ginobili. Parker sat out with a hip flexor and Ginobili made just 1-of-8 shots.

Superstar Tim Duncan picked up the slack, scoring 15 points in the first quarter and finishing with 26 in less than three quarters. He made his first five shots and was 10-of-14 overall.

As always, Duncan will present a challenge for the Clippers, who are playing some defense of their own. They have won four of their last five games, allowing 83 points per game during that stretch.

Saturday's 87-64 smothering of Indiana marked the best defensive effort in franchise history for Los Angeles, which is trying to deal with the absence of injured point guards Sam Cassell and Shaun Livingston.

Third-stringer Daniel Ewing has been elevated to starter and rookie Will Conroy was recently signed to provide depth. Ewing had eight points and five assists and Conroy handed out six assists in the win over the Pacers.

The Spurs are 2-0 vs. the Clippers this season, winning by a combined 51 points. They have won 31 of the last 36 meetings.