CHICAGO -- Playing minus five of their key players, the San Antonio Spurs put a gallant stand Thursday night when their nine-game Rodeo Trip continued at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
But when the going got tough, the Spurs simply didn't have enough firepower to withstand the host Nets, who went on to win, 103-89.
Alan Anderson led the Nets with 22 points while point guard Deron Willians ran the offense with 16 and eight assists. Paul Pierce chipped in 12 and Andray Blatche contributed 10 more.
It was Brooklyn's second straight win and 7th in their last 10. The Nets improved to 22-25 and sit on 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Spurs played without the injured Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Boris Diaw. Tim Duncan also sat out to rest on the second night of a back-to-back.
Without their regulars, the Spurs got 18 points from Corey Joseph and 17 from Danny Green. Patty Mills contributed 16 for San Antonio which dropped to 36-14.
"I'm really proud of my guys. I thought they did a great job. After the double overtime last night, then to come here tonight. I thought the effort was great," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told NBA.com." (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Nets forward Kevin Garnett (L) tries to hold off the determined charge of Spurs center Tiago Splitter in Brooklyn's win over San Antonio on Thursday night.
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