Spurs in tune with 111-102 win over Jazz
The
San Antonio Spurs took another step toward securing home-court
advantage throughout the NBA postseason with a 111-102 win over the
Utah Jazz.
Having wrapped up
the top seeding in the Western Conference, the Spurs are 1.5 games
ahead of Eastern Conference leaders Chicago, with the Bulls having
three games left to play.
San Antonio seized
control of a close first half with a 15-2 run that straddled halftime,
and held off a surge by the Jazz early in the fourth that saw the
Spurs’ lead narrowed to 91-85.
Richard Jefferson
scored 20 points and Tony Parker had 13 as all five Spurs starters
scored double digits despite seeing limited action after opening up a
large lead.
“All year long, and
pretty much most of my career, whenever I score big numbers it’s
because my teammates got me the ball,” said Jefferson, who connected on
4 of 7 from three point range. “A lob from Gary Neal, some passes from
Tony Parker early really got me going. Last year I struggled a little
bit, especially from the 3-point line.
“This summer when I
worked with the coaches I really focused in on that because that was my
role. It’s really helped me this season.”
The Spurs bench
added 44 points, led by Tiago Splitter’s 13 and Gary Neal added 12
points, as San Antonio cruised to their fourth win in a row.
“I feel that is what makes their team so special,” Jazz forward Paul
Millsap said. “They have guys that can come off the bench and score the
basketball. They truly play basketball out there.” Al Jefferson led the
Jazz with 23 points.
Leave a Reply