SAN ANTONIO—The San Antonio Spurs overcame the early loss of Manu Ginobili to injury and still recorded a comfortable 103-88 win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday, with Tony Parker having 22 points and eight assists.
San Antonio’s victory was part of a pattern on Saturday as the five divisional leaders in action—New York, Miami, Chicago and the Los Angeles Clippers included—all won.
Gary Neal added 20 points for the Spurs, who lost Ginobili to a bruised left thigh when he ran into an opponent on a screen late in the first quarter.
The Clippers notched their ninth straight win with a 111-85 defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s the franchise’s longest winning streak since they had 11 in a row as the Boston Braves in 1974-75.
Los Angeles’ Matt Barnes scored 21 points while Blake Griffin had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Clippers remained 1 1-2 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors, who had an impressive 115-83 road win over the Atlanta Hawks, who had won 11 of their previous 13.
The win capped a 6-1 tour against Eastern Conference teams; the team’s first winning road trip of at least six games since 1970-71.
The Memphis Grizzlies stayed within two games of San Antonio and ended a three-game skid by beating the Utah Jazz, 99-86.
In other matches, Chicago stayed in front in the Central Division with an 83-82 win over Brooklyn; the New York Knicks edged Cleveland, 103-102; Minnesota posted a 114-106 overtime win over Dallas; Indiana stayed within a point of the Central Division lead with an 88-77 win over Detroit; Miami routed lowly Washington, 102-72, with LeBron James notching 23 points and 10 rebounds; and Orlando won, 107-98, over Charlotte. AP