Duncan, Spurs roll past Heat 108-78
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Manu Ginobili(notes) and the San Antonio Spurs would’ve beenrelieved to beat a winning team by even a slim margin.
A blowout like this made the victory all the more satisfying.
Tim Duncan(notes) had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and San Antonio beat a winningteam for the first time in a month with a 108-78 victory over the Miami Heat onThursday night—the most lopsided Spurs victory this season.
Miami, meanwhile, was handed its most humiliating loss so far. San Antoniohas won 10 of 12, but the Heat (16-14) are the only winning team among thosevictories.
San Antonio Spurs' George … AP – Dec 31, 10:20 pm EST ![]()
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Dun… AP – Dec 31, 10:20 pm EST ![]()
Miami Heat's Carlos Arroyo… AP – Dec 31, 10:19 pm EST ![]()
Miami Heat's Michael Beasl… AP – Dec 31, 10:19 pm EST ![]()
Miami Heat's Michael Beasl… AP – Dec 31, 8:42 pm EST ![]()
Miami Heat's Michael Beasl… AP – Dec 31, 8:41 pm EST ![]()
San Antonio Spurs' Manu Gi… AP – Dec 31, 8:35 pm EST ![]()
Miami Heat's Michael Beasl… AP – Dec 31, 8:34 pm EST ![]()
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Dun… AP – Dec 31, 8:27 pm EST ![]()
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“It was a long time,” Ginobili said.
Before the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he’s been “not quite asimpressed” as his team’s recent roll may suggest since its dominance has onlybeen against weaker competition. Nonetheless, San Antonio won its fourthstraight.
“I believe that we got a lot to improve to really become contenders and berespected as one of the best team in the league,” Ginobili said. “We’re notthat steady so far this season, but we’re on the right track.”
Michael Beasley(notes) scored 26 for the Heat, and Dwyane Wade(notes) had 16 beforewatching the blowout from the bench in the fourth.
The Heat fell on the road for the second consecutive night. Back-to-backgames have been trouble for Miami, which is 1-7 whether playing on the first orsecond night.
Miami made just 10 field goals in the second half, and afterward, coach ErikSpoelstra vowed to “re-evaluate” and talk with his team.
“They throttled us,” Spoelstra said. “We got what we deserved tonight.Very disappointing loss.”
Duncan scored 13 in the first quarter, but the Spurs didn’t need him muchafter leading 58-49 at halftime. He shot 10 of 13 from the field and didn’t playin the fourth quarter.
The Spurs have leaned on Duncan as their leading scorer in seven of theirlast 12 games. Even with the overhaul San Antonio underwent this summer to giveits aging All-Star help, Duncan has continued to carry the Spurs during theirbest stretch so far.
That stretch finally includes a victory over a winning team—which theSpurs hadn’t done since Nov. 27 against Houston.
Between then and now, the Spurs withered against division leaders Boston andDenver, lost to Utah and Phoenix and couldn’t beat Portland despite thebanged-up Trail Blazers playing without Brandon Roy(notes).
All told, even though San Antonio finally looks to be in a rhythm after a9-9 start, the Spurs are 3-10 against teams that had winning records enteringFriday.
“If all nine (recent) wins were against Cleveland, Orlando, Phoenix or theLakers, I’d be pretty impressed with us,” Popovich said before the game. “Butthat’s not the case. Hence, I’m not quite as impressed.”
Tony Parker(notes) had 15 points and rookie DeJuan Blair(notes) had 14 for the Spurs.
Beasley and Wade were the only Heat players in double-figures. Wade was justone point better than his lowest-scoring game of the season, and his seventurnovers were a season-high.
“We couldn’t get anything to go for us,” Wade said. “They playedexceptionally well. Normally with a team when we get down, we can make a run,but we just couldn’t do it tonight. So just chalk this one up.”
Notes: The Heat fell to 2-21 all-time in San Antonio. …The Spurs areslowly getting closer to getting their full roster back. F Matt Bonner(notes) (brokenhand) is expected to miss another two weeks, and F Michael Finley(notes) (ankle) hasresumed shooting baskets and conditioning.
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