Spurs’ defense overwhelms Nets
San Antonio sets franchise record by allowing five points in third quarter.
The Brooklyn Nets ended 2012 a few hours earlier than most.
Tony Parker had 20 points and the host San Antonio Spurs held the Nets to five points in the third quarter en route to a 104-73 win Monday night.
MarShon Brooks had a season-high 16 points to lead Brooklyn (16-15), which suffered its first loss under interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo. Joe Johnson added 12 points and Brook Lopez had 11, but Deron Williams was held to eight points and one assist.
San Antonio set a franchise low for fewest points by an opponent in the third quarter when it held the Nets to 10 percent shooting (2 for 20).
“I’m actually surprised it wasn’t worse,” Carlesimo said.
Tim Duncan added 15 points and Nando DeColo had 11, while Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner chipped in 10 apiece for San Antonio (25-8), which won its sixth straight.
The Spurs had seven players score in the third, with Duncan scoring seven and Parker adding five points and three assists.
The Nets missed six 3-point attempts in the third and also had seven turnovers.
“We played great defense in the third quarter,” Parker said. “We tried to make an effort defensively and coach (Gregg) Popovich has been talking a lot about that and it has been a huge improvement for us the last two games. Defense has been great and we are on the right track.”
Rockets 123, Hawks 104: James Harden had 28 points as host Houston rebounded its worst loss of the season.
The Rockets were coming off a 30-point defeat by Oklahoma City and had allowed at least 120 points in their last two games — both losses.
On Monday night they used a 16-0 run in the second quarter to build a big lead and hold on for the win.
Lou Williams had 21 points to lead the Hawks, whose four-game winning streak ended.
Houston was up by 15 points in the fourth quarter before Atlanta used a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 102-97 with about five minutes remaining. Carlos Delfino scored five quick points after that.
Thunder 114, Suns 96: Kevin Durant scored 30 points and Russell Westbrook returned from a cut above his eye to finish with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for host Oklahoma City.
The Thunder extended their home-court winning streak to 12 — longest in the NBA — and won on New Year’s Eve for the fifth straight year since the franchise moved from Seattle.
Bobcats 91, Bulls 81: Kemba Walker had 18 points and eight rebounds as visiting Charlotte ended an 18-game losing streak. Gerald Henderson added 16 points and reserve Ben Gordon had 15 to help Charlotte snap the second-longest skid in team history. It was the Bobcats’ first win in their last 10 road games.
Heat 112, Magic 110 (OT): LeBron James had 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds and Chris Bosh scored 22 points for visiting Miami. James scored eight points in overtime, including two free throws that clinched it with 1.5 seconds left. Dwayne Wade, who had 21 points, had a dunk with 6.2 seconds to go to give Miami a four-point lead.
Pacers 88, Grizzlies 83: Paul George scored 21 points to lead host Indiana past Memphis. D.J. Augustin had 17 points and David West contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who have won five of six.