The Phoenix Suns may be the surprise breakout team of the year in the Western Conference, but the San Antonio Spurs showed experience matters in a 108-101 victory Wednesday night. In a close matchup between two franchises in radically difference places, the Suns' high-paced attack couldn't top the Spurs' late-game execution.
Spurs vs. Suns recap: Manu Ginobili leads San Antonio to 108-101 win
The Spurs topped Phoenix, but it wasn’t easy.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Even without Tony Parker, who’s currently sitting out due to a shin injury, San Antonio found guys to step up and finish a close game on the road. It’s the latest testament to Gregg Popovich’s system and its ability to withstand minor injuries in the rotation.
While Phoenix gave San Antonio a pretty strong run for its money during the first 45 minutes of the game, the Spurs' veterans took over in the final three to put things away. Manu Ginobili scored 11 of the team's final 15 points and Tim Duncan dominated the boards as Phoenix's perimeter-oriented attack went silent.
Ginobili finished with a season-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He also added seven assists and six rebounds in the win. Duncan, meanwhile, recorded 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in 31 minutes.
Channing Frye led Phoenix with 22 points, but the team's backcourt duo of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic struggled. The two guards combined for 33 points on 12-of-33 shooting, failing to hit a single three-pointer in the entire game.
The Spurs are now 20-5 this season, closing in on first-place in the West, while the Suns drop to 14-10. It’s still hard not to impressed by Jeff Hornacek’s team these days.
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