San Antonio Spurs Team Report - January 15

(Basketball News) - The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-93, on Wednesday in a battle of Midwest Division heavyweights at the SBC Center.

Tim Duncan poured in 36 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out seven assists for the Spurs, who have dropped two consecutive contests following a four-game winning streak.

Tony Parker and Hedo Turkoglu each had 12 points for San Antonio, which made 43 percent of its field-goal attempts.

San Antonio led 68-65 after three periods, but increased the cushion to four at 83-79 on Parker’s three-pointer midway through the final stanza. The Timberwolves, though, countered with eight straight points, culminated by Sam Cassell’s deep three, to seize an 87-83 edge with 4:32 remaining.

After each team scored three points, Kevin Garnett’s jumper with 2:42 left in the game staked Minnesota to a 92-86 edge. After a turnover, Sprewell’s dunk then widened the gap to eight points.

San Antonio closed within five at 96-91 and forced a defensive stop with 31.2 seconds left. However, Parker’s three fell short and Sprewell grabbed the rebound where he was immediately fouled.

Sprewell made 1-of-2 from the line to make it 97-91, but Duncan quickly answered with a layup to bring the Spurs within four. Garnett then knocked down two free throws with 19.3 seconds left, stretching the gap to six.

The Spurs had one final chance, but Turkoglu missed a three-point attempt and Trenton Hassell grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Hassell accounted for the final margin with one foul shot.

San Antonio is off until Friday when it starts a three-game road trip at Indiana against Jermaine O’Neal and the Pacers.