Manu Ginobili scored 22 points to pace San Antonio for a 91-79
victory over Utah Jazz on Monday, putting the Spurs on the brink of
advancing to the National Basketball Association Finals.
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The Spurs took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference
finals with Game 5 at home on Wednesday. The Spurs are seeking
their fourth crown in a run that began in 1999.
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Argentina's Ginobili, who made 12-of-15 free throws, scored 16
points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs outscored the Jazz 28-17
in the final quarter to decide the game.
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"Manu was aggressive in the fourth quarter and made some big shots
and got to the line for us," coach Gregg Popovich said. "He gave us
the scoring we needed in the fourth quarter."
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The Spurs-Jazz winner will face either Cleveland or Detroit in next
month's NBA Finals. Detroit has a 2-1 lead over the Cavaliers, who
host game four on Tuesday.
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Utah had won all seven prior home starts in this year's playoffs
and had been 9-0 all-time at home in playoff games against the
Spurs.
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Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and point guard Derek Fisher were both
ejected in the final minutes.
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The Jazz rallied within 63-62 after three quarters but fouls and
turnovers in the fourth quarter doomed their bid to equalize the
playoff series.
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"What they've got to learn every time they step on the floor is not
to have the fouls and the turnovers that put (opponents) on the
free throw line, regardless of circumstances," Sloan said.
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The Spurs shot more than twice as many free throws as the Jazz,
hitting 30-of-41 from the line compared to 14-of-20 for Utah.
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Tim Duncan scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the
Spurs, who also had 17 points from French guard Tony Parker and 11
points and 11 rebounds from Argentina's Fabricio Oberto.
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Utah was led by Deron Williams with 27 points and 10 assists while
Carlos Boozer added 18 points and nine rebounds.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2007)