Spurs beat Celtics to edge closer to Thunder record

THE San Antonio Spurs broke out of a two-game losing streak in style, demolishing the Boston Celtics 103-88 on Saturday to claw closer to Oklahoma City's Western Conference lead.

The Spurs (19-6) surged ahead in the final quarter courtesy of Tony Parker's 22 points and Gary Neal's 20, to close in on the Thunder's Western Conference-leading 19-4 record.

"We were able to just keep the tempo going," Neal told reporters. "I think our legs were a little fresher and we were able to keep the tempo pushing forward and knock down some shots."

Starting forward Paul Pierce and bench player Jason Terry contributed 18 points each for the Celtics (12-11), but they fell short of claiming a sixth successive victory in San Antonio.

The Celtics have been the only visiting team to do well in San Antonio against a Spurs team boasting an impressive 72-12 record in the regular season at the AT&T Center since the start of the 2010-11 campaign, including an 8-2 mark this season.

Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Warriors 115, Hawks 93; Knicks 103, Cavaliers 102; Magic 107, Bobcats 98; Pacers 88, Pistons 77; Heat 102, Wizards 72; Bulls 83, Nets 82; Timberwolves 114, Mavericks 106 (in overtime); Clippers 111, Bucks 85; and Grizzlies 99, Jazz 86.

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