The San Antonio Spurs showed why they hold the league's best record (46-9) Wednesday as they handily beat the New Jersey Nets 102-85 at the Prudential Center in Newark even though they weren't on their game.
Brook Lopez and Travis Outlaw each scored 11 point to lead the way for the Nets in defeat. The 11 points for a leading scorer was the lowest output of any game this season for New Jersey. Devin Harris added 10 as the only other Nets starter in double figures.
The Nets shot just 35 percent from the field, something that Avery Johnson knows is his team's biggest problem right now.
"We just missed so many easy shots. We missed dunks, we missed wide open shots," the head coach said after the game.
"We'll just keep working at it, keep practicing it."
Manu Ginobili paced the Spurs with 22 points and was one of six players in double figures. Tim Duncan had 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to help San Antonio dominate the points in the paint 40-28.
New Jersey held a lead in the second half and were within six points late in the third quarter before San Antonio turned up the heat with a 13-0 run to put the game away.
The Nets have now lost 16 of their last 20 meetings with the Spurs.
New Jersey is back in action for one last game before the All Star break Wednesday night in Boston against Celtics.