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Spurs Hold Off Struggling Kings 115-113
Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - George Hill tied his career-high with 23 points and dished out a personal-best nine assists, as San Antonio won its eighth straight game against the Kings in a 115-113 decision at ARCO Arena.
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 13 rebounds while DeJuan Blair ended with 20 and six off the bench for the Spurs, who began their eight-game road trip on the right note following a 2-4 homestand. Manu Ginobili chipped in 20 points and six assists in the balanced victory.
“With George on the floor we’re a little more versatile in different directions,” Duncan said. “He brings that to the table for us. He’s really picked up the slack and done a great job with it.”
Tyreke Evans, who missed one game due to an ankle injury, came back and recorded 32 points, eight assists and seven boards for Sacramento, which has lost four in a row and 11 of 12. Spencer Hawes logged 18 points and six boards, and Kevin Martin netted 15 points in defeat.
The Kings were within striking distance to start the fourth, trailing just 92-89 after an Evans bucket early in the stanza.
San Antonio, though, scored the next eight points to pull away, as Ginobili’s baseline drive and layup resulted in a 100-89 lead with 7 1/2 minutes to play.
A Hawes jumper and three Evans free throws made it a six-point game, but Hill answered with a jumper to start a string of seven straight points from the visitors, as the Spurs hit enough foul shots down the stretch to counter Sacramento’s hot shooting in the final minute.
"It's a veteran team, a smart veteran team that knows how to close quarters, that knows how to get to the penalty first," Kings coach Paul Westphal said of the Spurs. "A lot of times, that's the difference for us between winning and losing a game."
A tight first half saw the Spurs lead 31-29 after the first quarter and 61-60 at the break.
A back-and-forth third frame ended with San Antonio on top 88-83.
Kings forward Jason Thompson missed the game for personal reasons...Richard Jefferson and Keith Bogans scored 12 points apiece for the Spurs, who were without guard Tony Parker (ankle) for a third straight game...The Spurs made 23-of-28 from the foul line.
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