San Antonio Spurs Team Report - January 20

(Basketball News) - The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Detroit Pistons, 85-77, on Monday at The Palace.

Tim Duncan paced San Antonio with 17 points, 10 boards and six assists. Hedo Turkoglu collected 14 points and six rebounds for the Spurs, who have dropped four of their last five contests.

Manu Ginobili scored all eight points during an 8-1 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter, as San Antonio claimed a 64-59 advantage.

The Spurs still held a four-point edge at 77-73 following a three-pointer by Turkoglu with 2:22 left. However, San Antonio would not score again.

After a pair of free throws by Mehmet Okur, Chauncey Billups nailed a three- pointer with 1:28 remaining to give Detroit the lead for good at 78-77. Billups then converted a three-point play to make it 81-77 with 48.6 seconds left.

Robert Horry missed a three-point shot for the Spurs and Billups was later fouled with 29 seconds remaining. He made both attempts from the stripe to seal it. Billups completed his stellar quarter with two more foul shots to account for the final margin.

"Chauncey (Billups) came up with some heroics, and that was basically the difference," said San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.

Charlie Ward had 12 points and Ginobili added 10 for the Spurs.

The Spurs are off until Wednesday when they visit Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. Earlier this season, San Antonio defeated the Nets, 85-71, on November 12, 2003 at the Meadowlands.