Sports / Basketball |
Duncan keeps Spurs perfect on road(AP)Updated: 2006-11-21 15:18 PORTLAND, Ore. - Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili each scored 25 points, and the
San Antonio Spurs ran their perfect road start to 6-0 with a 107-98 victory over
the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Tony Parker scored 14 for the Spurs, who were playing for the second straight night and fought through a sluggish first half. Duncan started slowly but took over in the third, scoring 13 points on a variety of post moves as the Spurs ran their offense through him. The fourth quarter belonged to Ginobili, who scored 18 points and nearly singled-handedly turned back the Blazers with standout play on both ends of the floor. After converting a three-point play, Ginobili stole the ball on the other end and fed Brent Barry for a layup that made it 98-92. Ginobili then scored on four of the next five possessions for the Spurs. He came into the game shooting 29 percent on 3-pointers, but made three in the fourth quarter. Jarrett Jack had 12 points and five assists for Portland. Barry had 10 points for the Spurs. The Spurs also ended the 2005-06 season by winning their final five road games. Duncan, coming off a 35-point performance against Sacramento on Sunday night, shot 10-of-16 from the field and had six rebounds and five assists. The two-time league MVP struggled against the Blazers last season, even as the Spurs won all four games. He averaged just 15 points on 45.1 percent shooting, including a season-low six points on 3-of-7 shooting in one game. The Spurs have won six straight games over the Blazers overall, and 13 of the last 14 meetings. They have also won seven of their last eight visits to the Rose Garden. Randolph had 13 points in the first quarter and the Blazers led 25-22. Beno Udrih hit a 14-footer to give the Spurs their first lead at 35-33, but Portland quickly grabbed back the lead and had a 56-48 advantage at halftime. Duncan converted a three-point play to get the Spurs within 63-60, but the Blazers went on a 7-0 run and led 70-60. But Duncan took over, sparking a San Antonio 14-2 run that gave them the lead
again at 74-72 lead.
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