Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tiago Splitter scored 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting as the San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Atlanta Hawks 114-95 in an anticipated matchup that was dominated from start to finish by the defending champions.
The Spurs, even without Manu Ginobili, shot a staggering 56.1 percent from the floor against the Eastern Conference leaders and had six players score in double figures.
Kawhi Leonard filled the box score with 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, Boris Diaw scored 17 points off the bench and Danny Green added 15 in the rout.
"It was one of those games where we played very well," said Spurs guard Tony Parker, who scored eight points and handed out five assists. "The ball movement was great."
San Antonio has won nine straight meetings and is riding a 10-2 stretch following a four-game skid. The Hawks, on the other hand, have dropped a season-high three straight games.
Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 22 points, while fellow All-Stars Al Horford, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague combined for 22.
The Spurs scored on 11 straight possessions during a six-minute stretch in the first quarter. They made all 10 of their field goal attempts, including two free throws, and three consecutive jumpers by Leonard gave them a 26-6 lead.
"We didn't come out ready," said Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, who scored 18 points. "We didn't play defense as a team."
Even though they did not score in the final four minutes, the Spurs still led 26-13 heading to the second thanks to the usually sure-handed Hawks turning it over nine times over the opening 12 minutes.
Marco Belinelli kept San Antonio comfortably ahead by scoring all 13 of his points in the second quarter, and a 10-2 run to open the third gave the Spurs a stunning 26-point cushion at 69-43.
A frustrated Mike Budenholzer, perhaps trying to spark his team, was ejected by Joe Crawford at that point, and three quick 3-pointers from Millsap provided somewhat of a lift.
The deficit, however, was too much to overcome, and the Spurs led by at least 14 the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Spurs center Aron Baynes suffered a sprained right ankle in the first half and did not return ... Budenholzer was an assistant under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich from 1996-2013 ... Tim Duncan totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Spurs ... Atlanta had won five straight at home ... The Hawks have not beaten the Spurs since March 21, 2010.
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