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Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013 3:16 AM UTC

Splitter helps Spurs beat Thunder 105-93

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Topics: From the Wires,

Splitter helps Spurs beat Thunder 105-93San Antonio Spurs' Stephen Jackson (3) argues a call with referee Josh Tiven during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Monday, March 11, 2013, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)(Credit: AP)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tiago Splitter had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs snapped the Oklahoma City Thunder’s five-game winning streak with a 105-93 victory on Monday night.

Kawhi Leonard scored 17 points, Danny Green had 16 and Tim Duncan finished with 13 as San Antonio (49-15) rebounded from its second-worst home loss ever to maintain the Western Conference’s top record. Manu Ginobili had 12 points and Boris Diaw added 11 as the Spurs’ reserves outscored their counterparts 34-16.

Kevin Durant had 26 points and Russell Westbrook added 25 for Oklahoma City (47-17), which lost its sixth straight in San Antonio. Serge Ibaka was the only other player in double figures, adding 13 points and 16 rebounds.

San Antonio’s defense was the difference, turning an evenly matched battle into its third victory in four games without Tony Parker. The All-Star point guard is going to miss another three weeks with a sprained left ankle.

Oklahoma City had only two baskets in the opening 10 minutes of the fourth, but was 11 for 12 on free throws. The Thunder went 4 for 20 from the field in the final period.

San Antonio scored the first nine points of the fourth to take a 92-74 lead with 9 minutes left.

Oklahoma City played Sunday afternoon in a 91-79 home victory over the Boston Celtics, but still managed to outrebound the Spurs 15-4 in the opening quarter, including a 5-0 advantage on offensive rebounds.

San Antonio made its first five shots, with Duncan hitting a pair of jumpers over Kendrick Perkins to help the Spurs to a 10-4 lead with 9 minutes left in the first. The Spurs then proceeded to go 2 for 10, enabling the Thunder to rally.

Ibaka drove to the hole and threw in a floater off Oklahoma City’s fifth offensive rebound for a 24-14 lead.

After missing their first four 3 pointers, Green hit back-to-back attempts and Leonard hit another to pull San Antonio to 42-40 and force an Oklahoma City timeout. The 3s were part of a 23-4 run that gave San Antonio a 57-46 lead with 41.4 seconds left in the first half.

The run included Leonard stripping Westbrook at the basket, driving the length of the court and throwing down a left-handed dunk as Ibaka began to close in on the right. The basket made it 53-46.

NOTES: Over the past four seasons, only the Spurs (209) have more victories than the Thunder (199). . The Thunder, Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers are the only Western Conference teams with a winning road record. . Oklahoma City assistants Mark Bryant (2001) and Maurice Cheeks (1989) both played for the Spurs and Brian Keefe was an assistant video coordinator with the team for two seasons beginning in 2005.

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