By George Devine, Sr.

Despite a 16-5 run by Golden State in the third, the Spurs dominated as they beat the Warriors, 111-90. This win extends San Antonio’s streak to 19 games and its lead over the Thunder to four games, which augurs very well for them in the playoffs. Tonight’s victory marks 31 straight wins at San Antonio over Golden State and a sweep of the season series.

Leading the charge for the home team was Tony Parker with 18 points and 8 assists. Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills scored a baker’s dozen apiece. Marco Belinelli had 12 and Kawhi Leonard had 11.

For Golden State, Marreese Speights scored 22, and had 9 rebounds; Jordan Crawford hit for 16. Klay Thompson had 15 points and Stephen Curry scored 11. With 6:23 to go in the third period, Thompson’s second trey narrowed the lead to 71-61 and Speights, two minutes later, cut it to 74-67 on two free throws, on an evening when Golden State was 100% from the charity stripe. Speights was particulary strong from the inside and was 10 for 16 in field goals. But the Spurs could not be stopped: San Antonio jumped out to a 17 point lead in the first frame, and although the visitors cut it to seven in the third quarter, the Spurs then went on a 13-0 run to end the quarter.

Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Festus Ezeli all rested, and one can only wonder how much better Golden State could have done with a full complement.

Turnovers were abundant, as each team had 13. The Warriors actually had higher percentages on field goals from beyond the three-point line (38-21) but trailed in all other statistical categories excepting free throws, where they missed none and the Spurs shot a usually respectable 86%.