SAN ANTONIO, Texas, (Reuters) – Tim Duncan posted 21 points and a career-high 27 rebounds to propel the struggling San Antonio Spurs to a 105-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Despite making just 5 of 20 shots, the perennial All-Star sank all 11 of his free throws and added six assists as the Spurs snapped a three-game losing skid against the Eastern Conference team.
“You have to give him all the credit,” Spurs team mate Richard Jefferson told reporters. “Without him missing as many shots as he did, he wouldn’t have been able to get as many rebounds.”
San Antonio (26-18) had good balance with six players scoring in double figures, including Tony Parker who left the game with a sprained ankle in the third quarter and did not return.
The Frenchman has had trouble with his left foot for much of the season but X-rays following the game were negative and it is unclear how much time he will miss.
“Tony said it wasn’t so bad, but he’ll probably miss a couple of games,” said his team mate Manu Ginobili.
The home team jumped out to a 15-point lead after the first quarter and took a 66-44 advantage into halftime before coasting to the win.
Joe Johnson scored a game-high 31 points and Jamal Crawford added 25 for Atlanta but no other Hawks player shot well as the team finished 39 percent from the field.
The loss snapped Atlanta’s (29-15) three-game win streak and extended their difficulties in San Antonio where the team has dropped 12 in a row dating back to their last triumph in 1997.
They pulled as close as nine in the fourth quarter but San Antonio quickly pushed the lead back to a comfortable margin.
Josh Smith had 14 points and 16 boards for Atlanta who lost the rebound count 60-45. Antonio McDyess finished with 17 and George Hill added 16 for the Spurs.
