Leonard, Ginobili each have 21, lead Spurs past Suns, 103-89

Posted January 05, 2018 6:00 am

By RAUL DOMINGUEZ

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili each scored 21 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Phoenix 103-89 on Friday night for their ninth straight win at home over the Suns.

Ginobili joined Vince Carter as the only 40-year-old players to score 20 points off the bench. He shot 7 for 10 from the field in setting a season high for points.

The Spurs were without starters LaMarcus Aldridge, who sat out for rest, and an injured Danny Green, but had 15 steals and six blocks against the Suns while shooting 47 percent.

Devin Booker had 21 points and Marquese Chriss added 12 for Phoenix.

San Antonio went on a 23-6 run after falling behind by eight points two minutes into the second quarter.

Leonard had eight points during the run in his most complete game of the season, especially on the defensive end. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year set a season high with three blocks and tied his season best with four steals.

Leonard ran down Booker from behind to block a layup early in the first quarter and minutes later stepped in front of Tyson Chandler for a steal that led to a breakaway dunk.

The Spurs made their first three shots, including a pair of 3-pointers by Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes, who started for Aldridge and Green.

Forbes finished with 16 points and Pau Gasol added 15.

TIP-INS

Suns: F T.J. Warren did not play after being listed as questionable due to an illness. . Phoenix was also without F Jared Dudley (illness). . The Suns have made a 3-pointer in 1,099 consecutive games since March 29, 2004. It's the second-longest streak in NBA history to Dallas' 1,108 straight from Feb. 27, 1999, to Dec. 12, 2012. . The Spurs have won 12 of the last 13 in the series. Phoenix's last win in San Antonio was Feb. 27, 2013. Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points in the 105-101 victory.

Spurs: Aldridge has missed only two games this season, both for rest. . Green missed his second straight game and seventh overall with tightness in his left groin. . Joffrey Lauvergne exited with 2:56 left in the first half after colliding nose to forehead with Chriss, but returned to the Spurs bench midway through the third quarter. He played seven minutes in the fourth, finishing with three points and six rebounds in 15 minutes.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Spurs: Visit Portland on Sunday night.

___

More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard scores against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, left, and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

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