Spurs get 20 from Ginobili, run past Magic 110-89

[November 29, 2012]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Manu Ginobili had 20 points, Gary Neal scored 19 and the San Antonio Spurs earned their fifth straight win, racing past the Orlando Magic 110-89 on Wednesday night.

Tim Duncan added 15 points in 27 minutes and Tony Parker chipped in 14 points and eight assists.

The Spurs also posted their eighth consecutive victory on the road and have now beaten the Magic in five of their last six meetings.

Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 16 points, followed by Jameer Nelson with 14. The Magic struggled from the field, connecting on just two of their 15 3-point attempts.

Orlando has lost two straight and concludes its season-high, five-game homestand Friday against Brooklyn.

San Antonio ends its six-game road trip Thursday in Miami.

Using a barrage of outside shooting and easy transition baskets, San Antonio opened up a 20-point lead minutes into the fourth quarter and was able to coast down the stretch as its field goal shooting hovered near 50 percent.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he wanted to try to limit Duncan's minutes as they wound down the long road trip. As it turned out, the veteran didn't have to push himself against the Magic.

When he was in the game, he didn't have to exert a lot of energy, as Orlando's frontcourt players had difficulty containing any of San Antonio's big men. That included Tiago Splitter, who had nine points off the bench.

The tone was set early with the Spurs controlling most of the first half, getting easy looks from both the inside and outside as they built a 14-point halftime lead.

The Spurs' "Big Three" were all beneficiaries, led by Duncan's 13 points, followed by Ginobili and Parker with 12 apiece.

Ginobili got hot from beyond the arc early, and was responsible for four of San Antonio's six 3-pointers in the half. That opened up the paint for Duncan, who had several makes inside of 5 feet.

Parker was equally adept at getting to the rim and also had a pair of three-point plays.

Meanwhile, Orlando couldn't find the touch from deep, going 1 for 8 from the 3-point line.

The Magic's starters struggled overall from the field, going 11 for 26 collectively.

NOTES: The 3-pointer Duncan hit at the end first half was just his second make beyond the arc in three seasons. ...The Magic have now had at least 15 turnovers in each of their last eight games.

[Associated Press; By KYLE HIGHTOWER]

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