Duncan’s Double-Double Does The Deed Dulls Clippers Spurs Win 99-90

Tim Duncan had a double-double Saturday night scoring game highs in points 34, and rebounds 18, along with 5 assists and 1 steal, as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Clippers 99-90. The 18 boards were a season high for Duncan. The game also marked the return of San?Antonio?point guard Tony Parker, who scored 18 points in his first game back after missing the previous four games with a balky left ankle.?Los Angeles started the game without Corey Maggette, who was on the bench with a sore right knee, and lost veteran forward Tim Thomas in the first quarter, after he sprained his?left knee.

San Antonio basically put it into overdrive in the first half, and then just cruised during the second half of this game. The Spurs led 24-16?after the first quarter, and opened it up to 60-39 at the half. Los Angeles dug themselves such deep hole, that they outscored the Spurs 51-39 in the second half and still lost the game by 9 points! San Antonio did suffer one casualty, they lost Manu Ginobili in the first quarter after he re-injured the index finger on his left hand. He originally sprained the digit back on December 2, but had not missed any games.?

Duncan shot?13-22 from the field and 8-9 at the line, for his game high 34. Parker along with his 18 points, had 6 assists, 2 rebounds, Ime Udoka, saw extended minutes with Manu down scored 17 points, grabbing 8 boards. Michael Finley scored 10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds in the win.

Los Angeles was led by rookie Al Thornton, who started his first game Saturday night. Thornton shot 10-17 from the floor, 1-2 from three point range, and hit 4-5 at the line for a team high 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. Chris Kaman had a double-double 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks, 2 assists, 1 steal, Cuttino Mobley scored 16 points, 5 assists,?3 rebounds,?2 steals, in the loss. San Antonio now has a record of 19-7, the Clippers are 9-17.