Spurs Surge Clear Of Stuttering Jazz

The Spurs went on a 10-0 run early in the final frame and never looked back as they won for the first time in five visits.

The San Antonio Spurs used a fourth-quarter surge to overcome a faltering Utah Jazz 106-100 on Tuesday, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker leading the way with 24 points apiece for the visitors.

The Spurs went on a 10-0 run early in the final frame and never looked back as they won for the first time in five visits to the EnergySolutions Arena.

Utah pulled as close as 94-93 before Manu Ginobili made a twisting layup to put San Antonio back up by three.

"He made the right play at the right time," Duncan told reporters of teammate Ginobili, who was just 1-for-5 shooting on the night.

"You're not conscious of what shots he's made or missed. He's open and making the right play down the middle, so I gave him the ball and he put it in."

Ronnie Brewer had 23 points and Mehmet Okur added 22 for the Jazz, who have dropped four straight games for the first time since December 2007.

SHAKY CAMPAIGN

Utah (25-21) advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals last year but are struggling through injuries and inconsistency this campaign, putting them in danger of missing the playoffs.

Forward Andrei Kirilenko missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury and the Jazz have been without power forward Carlos Boozer (knee) since Nov. 21.

Despite the loss, Utah looked a far better side than the one that was battered 117-97 by the Denver Nuggets on Sunday and even held an 82-80 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Spurs surged clear.

By contrast, San Antonio have won five of six and improved to 30-14, good enough for second place in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers.

"They've got two players who have been together and know what they're doing and how to take advantage of any mistake you make," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "They make the game look pretty simple."

Matt Bonner contributed 20 points and was 6-for-7 from the three-point line, where the Spurs were 11-for-20 overall.

Utah's Deron Williams, who battled an ankle ailment of his own earlier this season, had 19 points and 13 assists.