NBA: Spurs hold off Clippers, improve to 15-0 at home
San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and in front of center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 115-107. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
SAN ANTONIO — LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 13 rebounds, Tony Parker scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the San Antonio Spurs held off the Los Angeles Clippers 115-107 on Friday night to remain undefeated at home.
San Antonio leads the league in several defensive categories, but offense dominated the first matchup between the teams since the Clippers eliminated the then-defending champions in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
Kawhi Leonard had 19 points, Tim Duncan added 14 and Danny Green had 10 for the Spurs, who are 15-0 at home this season.
Chris Paul had 27 points and 10 assists for the Clippers. Blake Griffin added 25 points and DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 17 rebounds.
San Antonio opened the final quarter on an 11-0 run, beginning with Patty Mills’ layup on the fifth pass of the possession after the Spurs passed up three 3-pointers. Parker’s 3-pointer closed the run and gave San Antonio a 96-88 lead with 9:17 remaining.
The Spurs then resumed intentionally fouling Jordan, and it disrupted their offense as much as it limited the Clippers.
San Antonio would not score until Parker hit another 3-pointer with 6:08 remaining, but the Spurs were able to maintain a 99-93 advantage. Parker also drained a 15-footer with 1:19 remaining and ran down a long rebound off Manu Ginobili’s miss with 53.9 seconds.
San Antonio entered the game holding opponents to 88.2 points, but the Clippers matched that in taking an 88-85 lead entering the fourth.
The Clippers continually used screens to put a smaller defender on Griffin, and the 6-foot-10 forward took advantage by shooting over Parker, Ginobili, Green and other wings. Griffin was 10-for-19 shooting, including going 4 for 6 in scoring 10 points in the opening quarter.
The Clippers were physical defensively, throwing the Spurs’ multi-pass offense off rhythm early.
The Spurs matched the aggression in the second quarter, crashing the boards. Mills missed a 3-pointer, Boris Diaw soared over Jamal Crawford for the rebound, tip-toed near the baseline and flung a pass to Green, who drained a 3-pointer. On the next possession, Duncan charged down the center of the lane to tip in a miss and earn a three-point play.
