NEW YORK — The NBA champion San Antonio Spurs are getting
things together at the right time as they prepare to defend their title. The
Spurs won their fourth straight game on Tuesday, scoring a 107-97 road victory
over the short-handed Orlando Magic.
"We are just slow and steady," San Antonio’s Tim Duncan told
reporters after contributing 19 points and 15 rebounds. "We are trying to get to
the point we are playing 48 minutes. We are headed in the right direction.
"It’s coming down to crunch time here and we are healthy and
have been for a little while. That is a big part of it."
The win moved the Spurs to within one game of the best record
in the Western Conference race, where five teams are separated by one and a half
games as the regular season heads down the stretch.
The Spurs were helped when Orlando lost starters Hedo
Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson to injuries in the first half. The Magic still led by
eight points in the third quarter but went into a six-minute scoring drought,
Keith Bogans missing all three free throws when fouled shooting a three-pointer.
The Spurs used a late 13-4 run to put the game away.
"Hedo is a big part of what they do," said San Antonio’s Manu
Ginobili, who scored 28 points to lead all scorers. "He is not only spotting up
for threes, but now he is a creator. He dishes out a lot of assists. The fact of
him not playing and Jameer, of course, helped us."
Turkoglu suffered a sprained right wrist and Nelson a bruised
jaw.
Michael Finley added 24 points for the Spurs. Dwight Howard
led Orlando with 24 points and 21 rebounds and Rashard Lewis also had 24 points.
The Spurs did a excellent job against the Magic’s outside
shooting, holding Orlando to 7-for-16 on three-point shots. The Magic had made
at least 10 three-pointers in each of the last 10 games
"That is a very good team and it was a very difficult night
tonight," Orlando coach Stan van Gundy said. "From my standpoint, disappointing
because I thought our guys really came to play tonight."
HORNETS 114, PACERS 106
David West had 35 points and 16 rebounds, and the New Orleans
Hornets beat Indiana 114-106 on Tuesday night in the Pacers’ first game since
CEO Donnie Walsh announced he was leaving the team at the end of the season.
Chris Paul had 31 points and 14 assists as the Hornets won their fourth straight
to maintain the best record (48-21) in the Western Conference
MAVERICKS 103, CLIPPERS 90
Josh Howard scored 32 points, Jerry Stackhouse had 20, Erick
Dampier had 19 points and 17 rebounds and Jason Kidd neared a triple-double,
lifting Dallas past the Los Angeles Clippers in the Mavs’ first game without top
scorer and rebounder Dirk Nowitzki, out with a sprained ankle and knee.
BULLS 103, HAWKS 94
Dwight Gooden hit his first five shots and finished with a
season-high 31 points while matching a season best with 16 rebounds in the
Bulls’ victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
JAZZ 128, BOBCATS 106
Carlos Boozer had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Deron
Williams added 14 points and 15 assists for Utah against Charlotte as the Jazz
increased their lead over idle Denver to 3 1/2 games in the Northwest Division.
BLAZERS 102, WIZARDS 82
Portland overcame the loss of leading scorer Brandon Roy to a groin injury to
rout the visiting Wizards.
