Spurs visit short-handed Hawks

The San Antonio Spurs seek a fourth consecutive victory Saturday night when they embark on a short road trip in Atlanta against the Hawks.

The Spurs completed a three-game home sweep, toppling the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and, most recently, the Golden State Warriors in a 95-88 victory Friday night.

San Antonio was led, as always, by the dynamic duo of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Parker hit a few huge buckets late en route to a game-high 25 points. He also handed out eight assists. Duncan scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

With the game tied in the fourth quarter, Parker took over. He sank a tough fadeaway from the corner to give the Spurs an 88-84 lead, then knifed through the lane for a bucket with just over two minutes left to extend the Spurs' edge to six.

"He's done it all year long and that's why he's had an All-Star year, he and Timmy both," said head coach Gregg Popovich. "They were great. Tiago Splitter was also fantastic for us."

He was. Splitter scored 19 points, pulled down nine boards and was second to Parker in minutes played at just a tad under 36. Danny Green was also in double figures with 13.

The Hawks lost the road end a home-and-home with the Brooklyn Nets Friday, 94-89. The loss left the Hawks 3-6 so far in the month of January, but this was a loss a coach can live with.

"This was really a hard-fought ballgame," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "I thought my guys really hung in there after we lost Williams in the first half."

The Williams Drew is referring to was Lou Williams. In the second quarter, Williams planted funny, and, what appeared to be a gruesome knee injury turned out to be a knee sprain. He is out for Saturday night's contest.

The Hawks were already without Al Horford, who sat out with hamstring and calf issues.

Josh Smith's dunk with 1:02 left capped a streak of seven straight points for the Hawks, getting them within 90-89. Deron Williams made four free throws and Brook Lopez blocked a late Jeff Teague driving layup to seal the win.

Teague paced the Hawks with 21 points, while Devin Harris added 17. Smith chipped in 12 and Kyle Korver posted 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Spurs have won 10 of their last 11 against the Hawks and five of their last seven in Atlanta.