Slam Dunk Central

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The San Antonio Spurs, undermanned, especially at guard (Tony Parker is out with an ankle injury; Brent Barry is out with a strained left calf), managed to find offense from other resources.? But it was Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili who sparked a late Spurs rally, enabling San Antonio to escape from US Airways Center with a 84-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns Thursday.

Phoenix led throughout the first half, despite the fact that they only shot 36.1% from the field and not making a basket in the final 6:10 of the second period.? Early in the second period, after scoring the first 7 points, Phoenix led 32-18, but San Antonio scored the final 5 points before halftime and chopping the Suns’ lead to 40-34.? But San Antonio’s Ginobili got his game going in the third period by scoring 8 points, yet the Suns managed to hold their lead the entire?quarter; they would go into the fourth quarter with a 60-55 edge.

The Spurs continued to trail, but a big basket by Duncan gave them an 80-79 lead; after the Suns turned the ball over, the Spurs’ Ginobili made a pair of free throws with 15.6 seconds left?in the game.? Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire then made a layup with 8.7 seconds left, pulling the Suns to within one point; unfortunately for him and the Suns, he missed a free throw.? Ginobili would complete the scoring for San Antonio with 2 more free throws with 6.5 seconds left, and the Suns would miss their last desperation shot.

San Antonio’s leading scorer was Ginobili with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists; reserve Jacques Vaughn scored 17, while Duncan added 16 with 17 rebounds and 7 assists.? Phoenix was led by Shawn Marion with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals; Steve Nash scored 17 and 8 assists, while Stoudemire added 16 along with 9 boards and a pair of blocked shots.? San Antonio (29-16) now travels to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers Tuesday, while Phoenix (33-14) remains home to host the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night.