Spurs sweep aside Blazers

The Spurs continued their domination of the Trail Blazers, winning their ninth straight in the series. San Antonio has now won four straight and 23 of 26 overall.

"Five to go; everybody’s healthy and that’s good," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It was a good win against a club that is young and headed in the right direction. They have fine young players and they play hard. In the second half, our defense was better."

Manu Ginobili donated 12 points and Bruce Bowen collected 10 points for San Antonio, which shot 59 percent from the floor and pulled away in the final stanza.

Portland continued its struggles without star forward Zach Randolph, dropping its second straight after consecutive victories over Utah and Houston. Jarrett Jack led the Trail Blazers with 19 points and eight assists, while Jamaal Magloire also scored 19 points. Brandon Roy recorded 15 points with five rebounds and four assists.

"As a team the Spurs really executed the fast break," Roy said. "Tonight we just ran out of gas. The Spurs kept making great runs tonight, but what else do you expect for a championship team."

San Antonio held an 83-76 lead entering the fourth quarter, but quickly took a double-digit lead at 87-76 on Ginobili’s running layup. Duncan’s bank shot from the left elbow increased the edge to 95-81 with just 6:35 to play.

Another Duncan shot off the glass made the score 100-83 with 5:20 to play and the Spurs rolled to victory from there.

The Spurs led 32-19 after the first stanza, but Portland fought back in the second with an 11-0 stretch. Magloire started the run with a slam off a pass from Jack, then the guard finished it with a layup in traffic for a 49-45 deficit with 2:25 on the clock.

However, San Antonio increased their lead to 54-48 at the break.

Game Notes

Portland rookie forward LaMarcus Aldridge will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome...Portland has lost eight straight and 11 of 12 at San Antonio...The Spurs swept the season series, 4-0...Portland never led, as the game featured four ties...Attendance 17,852.