Spurs try to rebound from tough loss against Clippers

Atlanta stunned the Spurs on Saturday, as Joe Johnson tallied 22 points to lead the Hawks over the Spurs, 94-84, at Philips Arena. Tony Parker led San Antonio with 20 points in the loss, while his backcourt mate Manu Ginobili tallied 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in defeat.

All-Star Tim Duncan scored 12 points and pulled down 10 boards on Saturday for San Antonio, while Bruce Bowen registered a season-high 13 points for the Spurs, who had a six-game winning streak snapped.

San Antonio is 9-1 at the SBC Center this season. The Spurs have won four in a row at home. They go back on the road on Thursday when they visit Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

The Clippers, who play the first of a brief two-game road trip, will also try to get back on the winning track this evening. On Sunday, Chauncey Billups scored 25 points and dished out eight assists, as the always toughDetroit Pistons continued their best start in franchise history with a 109-101 triumph over the Clippers at the Staples Center.

Elton Brand had 36 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Detroit for the Clippers, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Center Chris Kaman added 16 points, while Cuttino Mobley scored 14 and fellow guard Sam Cassell netted 13 for Los Angeles.

On the injury front, LA forward Corey Maggette (foot) is questionable for tonight’s game. He has missed three straight games with the injury. The Duke product is averaging 21.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13 games this season for the Clippers.

The Clippers are 5-4 on the road this season. They will visit the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday.

The Spurs have won seven straight and nine of the last 10 meetings in this series. The Clippers have lost six straight and 15 of their last 16 at San Antonio.

The last time the Clippers defeated the Spurs was on December 1, 2003 at the Staples Center.