THE FACTS: The San Antonio Spurs are trying to integrate some new players. Already, those new players are acquiring the Spurs' old habits: They win. The visiting Spurs (34-14) pulled away from the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter and won their fifth straight, 107-100. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 26 points and 11 boards. Tony Parker had 24 points, seven assists, four rebounds and just two turnovers. The Suns (25-25) suffered a crushing loss in their run for a playoff berth. They are now two games behind Utah and Denver (27-23), who are Nos. 7 and 8 in the West. They were led by Shannon Brown's career-high 32 points. Marcin Gortat added 21 points and 14 rebounds. Recent acquisitions Boris Diaw (3-for-4 for six points, plus four assists and two steals in 18 minutes) and Patty Mills (scoreless in four minutes) made their Spurs' debuts. Stephen Jackson, another new Spur, rested. TURNING POINT: The Spurs, using a mix of starters and reserves, were too much for the Suns' bench early in the fourth quarter. They stretched an 84-83 lead heading into the final quarter to 96-87. Then, coming out of a timeout, Steve Nash and Channing Frye turned it over, Parker hit a 10-footer, then Kawhi Leonard nailed a 3-pointer to seal it. NOTABLE: The Spurs are 12-2 in their last 14 road games after a 2-8 start away from home.
2012) Game Recap
