San Antonio Spurs Team Report - December 2

(Basketball News) - The San Antonio Spurs lost their third in a row Monday, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers, 91-83, at the Staples Center.

Malik Rose scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs, who played without two-time league MVP Tim Duncan. Duncan was suspended for the contest for pushing an official against Golden State on Saturday.

Corey Maggette gave the Clippers the lead for good with a free throw and Jaric’s three-pointer put LA on top, 28-24, midway through the second. Maggette capped the run to give the Clippers a 46-32 lead at the break.

A field goal by Maggette early in the third quarter put the Clippers ahead by 16 at 50-34, and LA would take a 62-51 advantage into the final quarter.

Rose completed a three-point play with 1:08 remaining to pull the Spurs within, 85-79, but Maggette and Doug Overton each hit three free throws in the final minute to put the game away.

San Antonio finished just 18-of-33 from the charity stripe.

The Spurs are off until Wednesday when they host Gary Payton and the Los Angeles Lakers.