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Surging Spurs set to take on Timberwolves

Feb 21, 2008 - 1:07 PM San Antonio (35-17) at Minnesota (11-41) 8:00 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - The San Antonio Spurs sent a message to the Western Conference before the All-Star break - they are defending champions and still the team to beat.

The Spurs look to continue their winning ways on Thursday when they visit the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

San Antonio won six of its last seven games before the All-Star break and are currently 1 1/2 games behind the New Orleans Hornets for first place in the cramped Southwest Division.

The Spurs continued their surge in their first game back on Tuesday, picking up a third-straight win with a 85-65 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in their first home game since January 26.

Manu Ginobili scored 18 points to lead the Spurs while Tim Duncan pulled down 15 rebounds, despite scoring just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting.

The Timberwolves appear to have taken advantage of the All-Star break as they snapped a five-game losing streak with a 104-88 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

Al Jefferson had 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead Minnesota and continues to be a dominant presence in the lane. He's averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds per game this season while ranking second in the NBA with 38 double-doubles.