December 16th, 2007 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
The supporting cast came to life for the San Antonio Spurs, who are missing Tony Parker with an ankle injury. As a matter of fact, they are why the Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 102-91 at San Antonio Saturday night in the return of Tim Duncan for the Spurs. Denver went up 27-22 after the end of one period as San Antonio made only nine of their first 21 shots.But the Spurs would – thanks to 7 Denver turnovers – begin a 16-7 run, capped by 8 points apiece by reserve center Fabricio Oberto and swingman Michael Finley – each getting a rare start. That burst would give San Antonio a 54-48 lead with 1:08 to go in the first half; the Spurs would take a 56-50 lead into halftime. The third period would find Denver having trouble shooting the ball, making only 8 of their first 19 shots; San Antonio scored twice as many points as Denver in getting their biggest lead of the game 92-68 going into the fourth quarter.
Denver, down by double-digits most fo the second half, nearly got into single-digits; the Nuggets went on a 19-6 run, and a trunover by the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili led to a 3-point play by Denver’s Allen Iverson that brought the Nuggets to within 11 with 4:17 left in the game. Denver would get to within 11 again, 100-89, when the Nuggets’ Linas Kleiza dunked. Denver got to within 11 yet again, but with 40 seconds left, it was too little too late.
San Antonio’s high scorer was Finley and Oberto with 21 points each; Oberto also grabbed 13 rebounds. Brent Barry came off the bench to score 14. Denver was led by Iverson with 30 points, while Kleiza added 16 and Carmelo anthony pitched in a quiet 15 and 9 rebounds. San Antonio (18-5) stays home to host the Phoenix Suns Moday night, while Denver (14-9) returns home to host the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday.
