Spurs halt skid but lose Parker in to ankle injury

Toronto, Canada – SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - Tim Duncan posted 21 points and a career-high 27 rebounds to propel the struggling San Antonio Spurs to a 105-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Despite making just 5 of 20 shots, the perennial All-Star sank all 11 of his free throws and added six assists as the Spurs snapped a three-game losing skid against the Eastern Conference team.

San Antonio (26-18) got good balance, with six players scoring in double figures, including Tony Parker, who left the game with a sprained ankle in the third quarter and did not return.

The home team jumped out to a 15-point lead after the first quarter and took a 66-44 advantage into halftime before coasting to the win.

Joe Johnson scored a game-high 31 points and Jamal Crawford added 25 but no other Atlanta player shot well as the team finished 39 percent from the field.

The loss snapped Atlanta's (29-15) three-game win streak and extended their difficulties in San Antonio where the team has dropped 12 in a row to the Spurs dating back to their last triumph in 1997.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Alastair Himmer)