Playing without Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as well as key contributors Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter, the Spurs were still able to top the Celtics, 104-92 Wednesday night at TD Garden in the final game before the All-Star break. The C's will go into the break with a 19-35 record.
The Spurs led 25-19 after one and held off the Celtics in the middle stanzas before pulling away in the fourth for the win. The C's were led by Kelly Olynyk (10 rebounds) and Kris Humphries who each had 15 points off the bench. Rajon Rondo added 16 points and four assists in a losing effort. The C's were without Avery Bradley and it could be a few more games before they get him back.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 25 points in the win.
The Celtics will be off for the All-Star break before returning to action next Wednesday (9:00, CSNNE) in Phoenix against the Suns.
What they'll be saying: Poor defense from the Celtics allowed the Spurs to shoot 50 percent from the field including 47 percent from three-point range leading them to a win on the road. Jared Sullinger was limited to just four points in 19 minutes of action due to an illness. The one positive was the play of Olynyk and Humphries off the bench filling in for Sullinger.
