Spurs nip Kings

Tony Parker added 20 points and eight assists, while Tim Duncan ended with 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for San Antonio, which snapped a two-game skid.

"We won the game in a way that all the things we prepared for in practice kind of slipped away in the middle of the third," Bowen said. "We got the ball moving, getting it inside to Tim and doing the things we have been working on. It was kind of like we took a couple steps back. that teams not going to quit during the course of the game."

Kevin Martin had 30 points for the Kings, who have lost back-to-back contests in Texas following a three-game winning streak. John Salmons tallied 20 points for Sacramento, which fell 109-90 at Dallas Friday night.

Brad Miller’s jumper boosted the Kings to a 92-90 lead, but Bowen came back with a three from the left corner to put the Spurs ahead for good. Corliss Williamson was then whistled for an offensive foul, and the Spurs took advantage as Duncan banked in a shot.

A miss from Mike Bibby, combined with a Duncan layup, extended San Antonio’s lead to 97-92 with 22.2 seconds left.

A free-throw shooting contest ensued. Brent Barry’s two at the line made it 100-96 with 10.7 seconds left, but Martin jammed a dunk home with 6.5 showing on the clock.

Robert Horry then missed a chance to ice San Antonio’s win by missing two free throws with 4.1 seconds left, but Bibby missed a desperation shot beyond half- court as time expired.

The game was tied at 26 after the first quarter, but the Spurs edged to a 53-45 lead at the half and were in front 80-71 going into the fourth. San Antonio’s advantage was as high as 17 in the third.

"It was a tough one, to be down so much, and come so close doesn’t feel real good," Bibby said.

Game Notes

San Antonio has won six of the last seven meetings...The Spurs shot 11-of-22 from three-point range, while making just 19-of-31 at the foul line...Sacramento went 2-of-12 from beyond the arc.