Matt Bonner | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Game rewind: Crisp offensive execution torches the Hornets

After watching his team struggle through its worst offensive half of the season Wednesday night, Gregg Popovich was ready.

Knowing the Spurs were tired, he rested his team as it charges to the end of the lockout-shortened season without a practice on Thursday or a shootaround on Friday morning.

But he still had video evidence of his team’s struggles against Boston Wednesday night that he was ready to show them.

“We talked about it a little bit that we didn’t play well in the second half,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “Pop actually showed us a little video too make sure that he was saying the truth. We knew it was an important game and we wanted to play well together again. So, yeah, we talked about it.”

Suitably inspired, the Spurs ran up season highs for points, field-goal percentage and tied their season best in assists in a convincing 128-103 victory over New Orleans Friday night.

It was a marked contrast from the struggles in Boston where they scored only 29 points and converted only 27.5 percent of their shots in the second half.

The Spurs hit 60.7 percent from the field and had 31 assists Friday night against the Hornets with some of the most precise offensive movement and spacing of the season.

Spurs captain Tim Duncan called the ball movement and offensive execution the best all season.

“We’re really moving the ball,” Duncan said. “It’s really got some pop on it and guys are really playing unselfishly. If we can do that we’ve got some of the best shooters in the league. If we get those guys open shots they’re going to knock them down.”

It boosted them into first place in the Western Division ahead of Oklahoma City, a perch they haven’t enjoyed since the opening month of the season.

Here’s how they did it.

The game, simply stated: The Spurs simply overpowered New Orleans as they ran an offensive clinic against the team with the worst record in the Western Conference.

Where the game was won:No, not at the opening tip. The Hornets had two leads in the first four-plus minutes of the game, including 11-10 after Eric Gordon’s 3-pointer with7:56 left in the first quarter. The Spurs put the game away witha 16-7 run late in the first quarter, starting with a 3-pointer by Manu Ginobili, another 3-pointer by Stephen Jackson and capped by a layup by Boris Diawthat gave the Spurs a 34-23 lead with 46.9 seconds left in the quarter. The Spurs’ lead never dipped below double digits during the rest of the game.

Putting it away:After Marco Belinelli’s3-pointer pulled the Hornets within 45-35 with7:08 left in the second quarter, the Spurs blew the game open with a 23-5 run capped by a 3-pointer by Patty Mills on a nice feed by Ginobilithat gave them their largest lead at 68-40 with 1:39 left in the half. During the surge, the Spurs hit 8 of 11 from the field, including all three 3-point attempts. Six different players scored during the binge, including six points from Duncan, five from Ginobili and five from Mills.

The clincher:New Orleans closed within 85-69 on Carl Landry’s layup with 4:19 left in the third quarter. Mills then hit two baskets — the last on a fantastic left-handed bullet pass from Ginobili with 3:45 left — and Matt Bonner added another hoop to spark a run of six straight points in a 14-4 run to finish the quarter that was punctuated by 3-pointers from Mills and Bonner.

The cocktail hour:James Anderson’s two foul shots boosted the Spurs to their largest lead at 121-89 with4:31 left. The Hornets made the final score more presentable with nine straight points after Gordon accounted for a long jumper and a 3-pointer, a fast-break dunk from Xavier Henry and a layup from Greivis Vasquez during a run where the Spurs missed three straight field goals for one of only two times in the game.

Player of the game I: Duncan had an extremely productive game in limited playing time with 19 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 20:24.

Player of the game II:The bench featured five players in double figures, but the top contributions came from Patty Mills. The team’s newest acquisition speededup the tempo, provided some nice defense and threw in 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting along with four assists and two steals. And he prompted the biggest reaction of the night from Popovich when his hustling forced a turnover from Belinelli.

Player of the game III: New Orleans’ Eric Gordon showed little effect of his season-long struggles with a right knee contusion as he erupted for 15 points in the first quarter en route to a game-high 31 points and a team-high four assists.

Most unsung:Stephen Jackson again provided a lift with 13 points and a game-high seven rebounds, along with some strong defense against Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry.

Attendance: The Spurs continued their strong attendance surge with another sellout crowd of 18,581. It was the Spurs’ 20th capacity crowd in 26 home games this season, including 17 of their last 19 home games and 13^th in a row. Their last non-capacity home game came Feb. 2 against New Orleans.

Did you notice I:With the injury to Jarrett Jack, the Hornets didn’t have a true point guard off their bench. It enabled Mills to torment Belinelli with his speed, leading him to a game-worst minus-29 plus/minus score.

Did you notice II: So much for letting Friday’s game go quickly into the night. The officiating crew of Scott Foster, Leroy Richardson and Michael Smith appeared to be earning their pay by the foul, if the way they called the game in the fourth quarter was any indication. The two teams combined for 22 foul shots in a fourth quarter that dragged for 30 minutes.

Stat of the game I: The Spurs stretched their winning streak to 10 games. It’s their second-longest of the season, trailing only by their NBA-best 11-game winning streak from Jan. 30 to Feb. 21.

Stat of the game II: The victory boosted the Spurs .007 ahead of Oklahoma City for first place in the Western Conference standings with 13 games left in the regular season.

Stat of the game III: The Spurs are one game away from clinching their 15th consecutive playoff berth — each of Duncan’s seasons with the team.

Stat of the game IV: With 128 points on Friday, the Spurs scored their most points since a 133-111 victory over Minnesota on April 12, 2010.

Stat of the game V: The Spurs shot 60.7 percent from the field. It was their highest shooting percent since blistering Detroit for 64.3 percent in a 111-104 victory over the Pistons on March 9, 2011.

Stat of the game VI: The Spurs’ bench again was a critical component of their victory with an 82-44 edge over the Hornets in bench points — most scoring from the bench since Orlando went for 82 points on Jan. 3, 2000. In their last four games, the Spurs’ bench has outscored their opponents, 245-135. That’s an average of 61.3 bench points per game.

Stat of the game VII: The Spurs rang up a season-high 72 points in the first half, bettering their previous scoring high of 65 points reached twice previously. Most recently, it came against at Oklahoma City on March 16.

Stat of the game IX: The Spurs have won 27 of their last 32 games and improved their Western Conference-best home record to 22-4.

Stat of the game X:The Spurs are 10-1 since Stephen Jackson arrived, 9-0 since Boris Diaw arrived and 6-0 since Patty Mills joined them.

Weird stat of the night I:A game after commiting only eight fouls and coming within one of breaking the franchise record for fewest fouls in a game in team history, the Spurs were whistled for 21 against New Orleans. They committed 23 combined fouls in their last two games.

Weird stat of the game II: After scoring a season-low 28 points in the second half against Boston Wednesday night, the Spurs scored at least that many in three quarters against New Orleans, missing only with 27 points in the third quarter.

Weird stat of the game III: For the second time in three games, the Spurs hit at least 50 percent in every quarter of the game, hitting 71.4 percent in the first quarter, 62.5 percent in the second quarter, 50 percent in the third quarter and 58.8 percent in the fourth quarter. They have accomplished the feat three other times this season — at Milwaukee on Jan. 10, at Toronto on Feb. 15 and at Cleveland on Wednesday night.

Weird stat of the game IV: The Spurs’ +20 margin in assists (31 vs. 11 allowed to New Orleans) ranks as the third-largest margin in the NBA this season. New York’s 24-assist margin against Portland on March 14 and Milwaukee’s 21-assist margin against the Trail Blazers on March 20 are the only higher ones in the league this season.

Weird stat of the game V: Twelve of the Spurs’ 13 active players saw action in the first half.

Weird stat of the game VI: Every Spurs player accounted for at least one assist with the exception of Boris Diaw, who was shut out in 22 minutes. Coming into the game, Diaw had the third-highest assist-per-minute ratio on the team.

Weird stat of the game VI: The Spurs’ biggest deficit in the game was one point. In their last 10 games, the Spurs’ biggest deficit has been six points. It came in a victory over Philadelphia on March 25.

Weird stat of the game VII: After struggling from the foul line for much of the season, the Spurs continued a recent stretch of strong foul shooting again Friday night. San Antonio hit 17 of 21 shots from the line for 81 percent. Over the last six games, they are 90 for 111 from the line (81.1 percent) and 145 for 182 (79.7 percent) over the last 10 games. In the previous 43 games before the recent surge, the Spurs were 675 of 940 from the line (71.8 percent).

Not a good sign: Tony Parker’s playing time was limited, but he scored only seven points in 16 minutes. Over his last two games, Parker is averaging 8.5 points per game and shooting 40 percent from the field.

Best plus/minus scores:Ginobili was plus-29, Mills was plus-18 and Bonner was plus-14.

Worst plus/minus scores: Danny Green was minus-3, Parker was minus-1 and Anderson was even.

Quote of the game: “We couldn’t guard tonight. Since I’ve been here, that was the worst defensive effort I’ve seen. We couldn’t guard a bike if we were riding on it. It was unpleasant to watch,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams on his team’s defensive struggles.

How the schedule stacks up:The Spurs will host Utah on Sunday and face the Jazz in Utah Monday before another back-to-back with home games against the Lakers on Wednesday and Memphis on Thursday. The Hornets will return home Saturday against Minnesota to start a five-game homestand that continues with games against the Lakers on Monday and Sacramento on Wednesday.

Injuries: The Spurs had a complete roster. Parker stumbled early in the third quarter and saw his minutes limited during the rest of the game. New Orleans played without second-leading scorer Jarrett Jack (right foot sprain), C Chris Johnson (concussion) and C Emeka Okafor (sore left knee).

Parker rebounds, Spurs gain revenge

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Spurs 112, Lakers 91: April 17, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol of Spain goes for a shot as San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) dunks as San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) of Spain defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives as teammate Tiago Splitter (22) sets a pick on Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions (7) during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) watches the ball as San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, left, and Tony Parker (9) defend during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) goes for a layup as Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, reacts as Ramon Sessions, left, looks on from the bench as the San Antonio Spurs score during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers’ Josh McRoberts defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

By Jeff McDonald

LOS ANGELES — Officially, the decision was reached at 30,000 feet in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, somewhere over the midsection of California.

Not long after rolling to a blowout win at Golden State on Monday night, the Spurs boarded their charter flight bound for Los Angeles, for the middle game of a back-to-back-to-back, with much of the basketball-playing wondering how many league-approved sport coats had been packed in the cargo hold.

Would Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili suit up for the rematch against the Lakers? Or would coach Gregg Popovich again choose scoring rest for his veterans over a scoring points a national popularity contest?

“For us, it was not even a question,” Parker said after the Spurs unloaded both barrels on the Lakers in a 112-91 victory at the Staples Center.

The Spurs did not necessarily need Tuesday’s game. But after what had happened six days earlier, when the Lakers marched into the ATT Center with Kobe Bryant in street clothes and punked them 98-84, they certainly wanted it.

By the time the Spurs landed in LA., it was official. Everyone was in.

“There was never any doubt,” Ginobili said.

Behind 29 points and 13 assists from Parker, and a productive all-around night from their’ Big Three, the Spurs (44-16) reasserted their Western Conference dominance in front of a sold-out, celebrity laden crowd and a national television audience

The victory kept the Spurs in first place in the West, narrowly ahead of Oklahoma City, and ensured them no worse of a No. 2 seed. Tonight in Sacramento, they have an opportunity to sweep a second set of three games in three nights.

More than anything, Tuesday’s runaway helped soothe the Spurs’ psyche still stinging from a lopsided loss in San Antonio.

“We needed to come here and feel good about ourselves and show we are better than that,” Ginobili said. “We needed to play better.”

After going 2-for-12 in the first meeting, Parker led the Spurs’ victory parade Tuesday. He had his hands all over the 18-0 run that broke the game open in the second quarter, and later added a highlight reel undressing of Steve Blake.

Popovich said he didn’t bring up last Wednesday’s mugging in San Antonio before he game. He didn’t have to.

“We were very motivated,” Parker said. “Obviously, we were not happy with our performance in our place. We wanted to get it back.”

For Parker, redemption came in heaping spoonfuls. He hit 14 of his 20 shots, and came within one point of his highest-scoring career game against the Lakers — set in Game 2 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals.

“I played one of my worst games (in the first meeting),” Parker said. “I was very motivated. I wanted to come back strong and try to help my team win.”

Bryant was again sidelined in the rematch, missing his sixth consecutive game with a sore shin. For the Lakers, who tumbled to 39-23, that was about all that stayed the same.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum had been a one-man wrecking ball in the first meeting, posting 16 points and grabbing 30 rebounds to set a Spurs all-time opponent record.

It was part of a whopping 60-33 rebounding edge for the Lakers that night, and prompted what happened Tuesday.

Then, Popovich replaced his smallest frontcourt player (the 6-foot-7 DeJuan Blair) with one of his tallest. In part to counter the Lakers’ frontline tandem of Bynum and Pau Gasol, Popovich started Tiago Splitter next to Duncan for the first time.

It was a look the Popovich had used for all of 118 minutes this season, though Duncan and Splitter played extensively together during the lockout-lengthened summer.

“I’m probably a lot more comfortable with it than the minutes show,” said Duncan, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Splitter’s presence next to Duncan on Tuesday was mostly negligible. Plagued by foul trouble, he logged just five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes.

The first play of the game did not look promising for the Spurs, when Gasol hit Bynum on a lob over the top of the Spurs’ supersized defense.

But Duncan handled Bynum the rest of the way, and the Spurs won the battle on the glass. Bynum ended with a manageable 21 points and seven rebounds.

Ginobili joined Parker and Duncan in double figures with 15, as the Big Three combined for 63 points.

None of the above logged more than 15 minutes in a 21-point win a night earlier at Golden State, making Popovich’s decision to play them against the Lakers more comfortable.

“If last night everybody had played 40 minutes,” Popovich said, “the decision might have been different.”

Twice this season, Popovich has rested Duncan, Parker and Ginobili — his three top scorers — on the same night.

Given the stage, and the stakes, the Big Three certainly wanted to play in L.A. Those surprised with Popovich’s acquiescence do not fully understand the Spurs’ dynamic.

It is true that Popovich’s locker room is no democracy. But he rules as a benevolent dictator, open to suggestions.

“I don’t think you can be too pedantic and say whatever you want and think it’s going to fly,” Popovich said. “It’s a players’ league. You need to have the players’ respect. Their opinions, depending on who they are, are often times important and could lead you in a direction that’s beneficial to your team.”

Ginobili estimates he’s been on the receiving end of about 100 of those conversations throughout his career. He says he can usually read Popovich’s decision by the look on his face.

There was no such discussion Tuesday. The decision was a no-brainer.

The Spurs might rest tonight in Sacramento. In Los Angeles, with a game to win and redemption in store, the Spurs brought everyone to the fight.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Duncan, Spurs block out Suns

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Spurs 105, Suns 91: April 14, 2012

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (21) scores the game’s opening points against Phoenix during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs scores and is fouled by Marcin Gortag (4) of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Duncan converted the ensuing free throw. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Channing Frye (8) of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Leonard made the shot and converted the ensuing free throw. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan (21) of the San Antonio Spurs congratulates teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after Leonard scored while being fouled during first-half NBA action against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) runs after a loose ball as Marcin Gortat of the Phoenix Suns watches during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Grant Hill (33) of the Phoenix Suns is unable to sink a layup as Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter (22) of the San Antonio Spurs battles Markieff Morris (11) of the Phoenix Suns for a loose ball during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the Spurs drives to the basket during NBA action against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs Shannon Brown of the Phoenix Suns during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Matt Bonner of the Spurs dunks after a steal against the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan scores on this shot against Phoenix during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim before he and his teammates are introduced before their game against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson of the San Antonio Spurs (3) runs out of bounds toward head trainer Will Sevening during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs hits a long-range three-point shot to end the third quarter as the Spurs defeat the Phoenix Suns, 105-91, during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Boris Diaw of the Spurs (33) defends as Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns shoots during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson (3) of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Ronnie Price of the Phoenix Suns runs into fans and a photographer during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. No one was hurt in the incident. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs (22) blocks an attempted dunk by Michael Redd of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The Red Sea opened up for the Red Rocket in the second quarter Saturday against Phoenix, and Matt Bonner suddenly found himself contemplating options he should never be permitted to contemplate.

“I couldn’t decide between the windmill or the 360,” Bonner said after the Spurs’ easy-does-it 105-91 victory over the erstwhile surging Suns. “I ended up going with the one-handed power slam.”

As a dunker, it turns out, Bonner remains a pretty good 3-point shooter.

Despite Bonner’s postgame protests to the contrary — “I bruised my elbow on the rim!” — certain KIA-hopping All-Stars needn’t lose sleep. Bonner’s jam won’t be soon showing up on best-selling NBA posters, or a national car commercial, any time soon.

“There’s Blake Griffin,” Tim Duncan deapanned. “And then there’s Matt Bonner.”

The Spurs’ chase for the top seed in the Western Conference rolled on Saturday, with a resounding victory over a Suns team scrapping for its playoff life that was rarely as close as the final score showed.

With it, the Spurs (42-16) sewed up the Southwest Division and locked down home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Behind another throwback night from Duncan, who had 13 of his 19 points in a 6-for-8 first quarter, the Spurs burst to a 21-4 lead and kept the accelerator pressed to the floorboard.

Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard each added 14 points for the Spurs, who led by as many as 28 points before turning the night over to the bench.

“Sometimes it’s your worst nightmare to jump to a big lead at the beginning of an NBA game,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose team earned the 18th division crown in franchise history and ninth of his tenure. “I thought they focused well and did a good job.”

Duncan set the tone, starting 5 of 5, scoring on Suns center Marcin Gortat inside and out. His early flurry cost Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry two timeouts.

After the first, Suns begin double-teaming Duncan. He responded by finding Leonard for a 3-pointer to cap a 14-0 run for the Spurs.

By end of first quarter, Duncan had scored a baker’s dozen, matching Phoenix tally for tally, and the Spurs led by 35-13. Then, on the Spurs’ first possession of the second quarter, Bonner collected a loose ball on the right arc, lowered his head and — ahem — exploded for an uncontested dunk.

It was his only field goal of the game.

“It’s a new attitude,” said Bonner, better known as a 6-foot-10 3-point marksman. “I’m trying to usher in a new excitement here on the Spurs. Dunks, alley oops, you name it.”

The Spurs still seem to be faring quite well with the old attitude.

Before the game, Popovich compared the ageless production of the 35-year-old Duncan and Steve Nash, the Suns’ 38-year-old point guard, in vinter’s terms.

“They’re like fine wine,” Popovich said.

Nash, however, went down after six minutes in the first quarter with a strained right hip and did not return. Duncan, meanwhile, went vintage.

When the Suns climbed within 16 in the second quarter, Popovich went back to Duncan, who also ended with 11 rebounds.

Duncan immediately hit a turnaround jumper on Gortat, then — so as not to allow Bonner all the fun — followed with a left-handed dunk straight out of the time machine. Rally quelled.

“Timmy’s been Mr. Steady all year long,” Popovich said. “Bringing it every night.”

Before the game, Gentry praised resilience of his Suns, who had weathered a period of six of seven games on the road to rise within a game of the West’s final playoff spot.

“It’s not like we can exhale now,” said Gentry, whose team fell to 31-29. “Our backs are still against the wall.”

If Nash misses much time with his latest ailment, Saturday might have marked the dying breath of the Suns’ postseason aspirations.

The Spurs, meanwhile, remain tied in the loss column with Oklahoma City for the top seed in the West. They own the head-to-head tiebreaker should both teams win out. And Saturday, they held serve with a victory so thorough it included a Bonner dunk.

Afterward, in a jubilant home locker room, someone passed around an old photo of an Afro-wearing Julius Erving dunking on some hapless, disco-era Seattle SuperSonic.

“Hey,” Boris Diaw shouted to nobody in particular. “Just like Matty tonight.”

A new excitement? Perhaps. But also, a familiar result.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN