Duncan, Ginobili Lead Spurs Past Pacers

Coach Gregg Popovich, who scolded the Spurs for their lack of defense in Philadelphia last week, found efforts more to his liking on Tuesday

The San Antonio Spurs cruised to a 99-81 home win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili shouldering the scoring responsibilities for the winners.

Duncan had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Southwest Division leaders, contributing 12 of his team's 22 first-quarter points before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Ginobili scored 26 points in 21 minutes, making all four of his three-point attempts. He had 15 points in the second period to power the Spurs to a 53-40 halftime lead.

The Argentine also had eight rebounds before resting most of the final period.

Tony Parker added 13 points and seven assists for San Antonio, who improved to 16-7 at home.

Coach Gregg Popovich, who scolded the Spurs for their lack of defense in Philadelphia last week, found efforts more to his liking on Tuesday.

"I was really happy with the overall defense from beginning to the end of the game against a team that is scoring the third-most points in the league," Popovich told reporters. "I thought we did a wonderful job of it."

Still, Ginobili said he saw room for improvement.

"I think we're where we usually are at this point," he told reporters. "The record is good, but I truly believe we have a long way to go if we want to make it to the championship."

Like his coach, Ginobili said the Spurs must step up even more on defense.

"Defensively, we've really got to improve," he said. "We've got to be more steady. We're OK for now, but if we want to make it, we've got to be great, and we're still a long way from there."

Danny Granger scored 17 points and Mike Dunleavy had 15 for the Pacers, who are in last place in the Central Division. They have won only six times in 24 road games.

NBA STANDINGS on Tuesday
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. Boston        34 9  .791 -
 2. Philadelphia  20 21 .488 13
 3. New Jersey    19 22 .463 14
 4. NY Knicks     16 24 .400 16 1/2
 5. Toronto       16 27 .372 18
 CENTRAL DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. Cleveland     31 8  .795 -
 2. Detroit       23 17 .575 8 1/2
 3. Milwaukee     20 24 .455 13 1/2
 4. Chicago       18 25 .419 15
 5. Indiana       15 27 .357 17 1/2
 SOUTHEAST DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. Orlando       33 8  .805 -
 2. Atlanta       25 16 .610 8
 3. Miami         22 18 .550 10 1/2
 4. Charlotte     16 25 .390 17
 5. Washington    8  32 .200 24 1/2
 WESTERN CONFERENCE
 NORTHWEST DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. Denver        28 15 .651 -
 2. Portland      25 16 .610 2
 3. Utah          25 17 .595 2 1/2
 4. Minnesota     13 27 .325 13 1/2
 5. Oklahoma City 8  34 .190 19 1/2
 PACIFIC DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. LA Lakers     32 8  .800 -
 2. Phoenix       23 16 .590 8 1/2
 3. Golden State  13 29 .310 20
 4. Sacramento    10 32 .238 23
 5. LA Clippers   9  31 .225 23
 SOUTHWEST DIVISION

               W  L  PCT  GB
 1. San Antonio   28 13 .683 -
 2. New Orleans   25 13 .658 1 1/2
 3. Houston       26 16 .619 2 1/2
 4. Dallas        24 17 .585 4
 5. Memphis       11 29 .275 16 1/2

NBA RESULTS on Tuesday (home team in
CAPS)
 Atlanta     105 CHICAGO    102
 SAN ANTONIO 99  Indiana    81
 DENVER      118 Sacramento 99
 UTAH        112 Minnesota  107