San Antonio Spurs Team Report - January 1

(Basketball News) - Tim Duncan posted 23 points and eight rebounds to lead San Antonio to a 98-79 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

Tony Parker scored 21 points and dished out 11 assists for the Spurs, who have won five straight and 10 of 11 overall as well as four consecutive in the series.

The Spurs had 24 or more assists for the fourth straight game and are 15-0 this season when reaching 24 assists.

Brent Barry added 12 points for San Antonio, which overturned a 26-20 deficit in the second quarter. His three-pointer, with less than three minutes left in the second forced a 35-35 tie. The teams ended the quarter in a 39-39 tie.

The Spurs opened the third quarter with seven straight points. A driving dunk by Duncan less than four minutes into the third opened a 46-39 edge.

LA’s Corey Maggette made two foul shots less than a minute later to trim the Clippers deficit to 46-41.

But San Antonio responded with a 14-3 burst. A 20-foot jumper by Parker, midway through the third, put them ahead 60-44.

Rick Brunson hit a three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to cap a 16-8 surge and bring the Clippers within 70-62.

Los Angeles cut its deficit to 70-64 early in the fourth quarter on hook shot by Zeljko Rebraca.

But San Antonio went on a 15-4 flurry to take control. Barry hit two free throws with 7:18 to go to make it 85-68.

The Clippers never threatened the rest of the way.

San Antonio will return to action on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.