Feb

1

Duncan, Ginobili Spark Late Spurs Rally, Edge Suns 84-81

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main 

????????????????????????????????? San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili shoots off balance against Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell, right, during the third quarter of their game, played Thursday night. San Antonio beat Phoenix 84-81.?

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.



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