Spurs getting some competition from Mavs in Southwest

San Antonio plays the middle contest of a three-game homestand on Thursday, as the participants of the 2005 NBA Finals will battle for the second and final time in the 2005-06 campaign. The defending world champion Spurs welcome the Detroit Pistons to the SBC Center.

On Christmas Day, Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and dished out six assists, as the Pistons exacted some revenge by defeating San Antonio, 85-70, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Spurs have still won eight of 11 and 10 of their last 14 contests with the Pistons, who have lost eight straight at San Antonio.

Detroit’s last win over the Spurs at San Antonio was on April 2, 1997. These teams have combined to win the last three championships, with the Spurs capturing titles in 2003 and 2005. San Antonio denied the Pistons’ chance of winning back-to-back championships by winning last year’s NBA Finals in a dramatic seven-game series.

The Spurs enter Tuesday’s game having won 12 straight games at the SBC Center. San Antonio’s last loss at home was to the Chicago Bulls on November 25th.

Tim Duncan racked up 27 points and 12 rebounds as San Antonio stopped New Jersey’s 10-game winning streak with a 96-91 victory over the Nets on Tuesday at the SBC Center. Tony Parker scored 18 points and Manu Ginobili added 16 in the win for the Spurs

San Antonio is an impressive 17-1 at home this season. The Spurs are scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday in the finale of the homestand. The Grizzlies and Spurs will be playing for the first time in the campaign.

Duncan, who leads the Spurs in scoring (20.7 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg), has scored in double-digits in all 35 of San Antonio’s games and has collected 27 double-doubles this season.

The Spurs are 12-1 when they score 100 or more points this season.