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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Coming off two straight losses, the San
Antonio Spurs could not have found a better opponent Saturday night
than the Chicago Bulls.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a
105-81 victory over Chicago, which is a league-worst 2-18.
"I was happy with the guys," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
"They stayed in the game mentally. That was the best part. We've
let a few games go this year. The focus was great. It was one of
those games where you could lose it."
Sean Elliott and Derek Anderson each added 16 points.
"We came out and established a good flow," Spurs center David
Robinson said. "We'll see how it carries over. This week will tell
if we improved."
The Spurs face two tough Western Conference opponents on the
road next week -- at Utah on Monday and at Phoenix on Wednesday.
The Spurs held their biggest lead at 72-39 about three minutes
into the third quarter.
"We played an exceptional basketball team," Bulls coach Tim
Floyd said. "When they make everything from the perimeter, that
creates problems because they're so strong inside."
With 10 3-pointers in 18 attempts, the Spurs set season highs in
each category.
"We're an inside-out team," said Elliott, who made all three
of his 3-point shots. "Our first look will always be down low. We
also have some guys who can shoot the ball when the look down low
isn't there. Tonight, we were able to find the guys outside."
The Spurs entered the game averaging 4.17 three-point field
goals in 10.67 attempts.
"We haven't shot that many, as I'm sure we probably haven't
made that many," said Popovich. "But they were there tonight."
Elton Brand scored 23 points to lead Chicago, which has five
players who would still have college eligibility if they hadn't
turned pro. Brand has struggled with a hyperextended left knee and
his start Saturday night was a game-time decision.
Duncan registered a double-double for the 17th time in 19 games
this season. Robinson added nine points and nine rebounds.
"We want to contain those big guys at all times," Brand said.
"But those guards really stepped up and hit a lot of big shots."
Elliott scored six straight points early in a 17-2 run for the
Spurs right after the Bulls scored the game's first basket. The
Spurs extended their lead to 30-13 with 1:34 remaining in the first
period on a 3-pointer by Antonio Daniels.
Anderson scored nine points in the first period, during which
the Spurs shot 70.6 percent (12 for 17). The Spurs were ahead 60-36
at halftime, even though foul trouble limited Duncan and Robinson
to a combined 25 minutes in the half.
Game notes
The Spurs are 9-3 when their opponent scores fewer than 90
points and 3-4 when the opponent scores 90 or more. ... The Spurs
have won four in a row against Chicago, and are 19-7 against the
Bulls at home. ... With a record of 175-122, Popovich is two wins
away from tying Doug Moe's team record for coaching victories. ...
The Bulls matched last season's 20-game record. ... The Bulls fell
to 32-120 since Michael Jordan retired.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
San Antonio Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 99
Charlotte 96
Cleveland 97
Atlanta 90
New York 96
Denver 88
Minnesota 85
LA Clippers 73
Milwaukee 99
Washington 91
San Antonio 105
Chicago 81
Utah 125
Golden State 114
Portland 114
Detroit 83
Houston 111
Seattle 104
Philadelphia 83
Vancouver 79
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