Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds and Steve Smith scored 15 points as the San Antonio Spurs posted a 97-85 victory over the Pistons, who have lost eight straight road games.
Detroit was sitting atop the Central Division before going on a winless five-game road trip from December 16-22, running its road slide to six games. The Pistons suffered a loss in Orlando on Friday before coming to the Alamodome, where they have not won since April 2, 1997.
 Tim Duncan finds Ben Wallace in his way. D. Clarke Evans NBAE/Getty Images |
"He's always important to us. He can do a lot of things, he's not just our energy guy," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Rose.
The Spurs had a 72-66 advantage after three quarters and scored 11 of the first 13 points in the final period to pull away.
Terry Porter scored five of his seven points during the spurt, sparking it with a jumper and adding a 3-pointer less than two minutes later.
Charles Smith scored eight of his 10 points in the final nine minutes for the Spurs, who had their largest lead, 89-73, on Duncan's jumper with 5:31 remaining.
"It wasn't a pretty start. We weren't as fluid as we should've been, but we grinded out until we found our rhythm," Duncan said. "The guys off the bench played great, it was a full team effort and we need that every night."
"Tonight was a good consistent game," Popovich said. "Detroit is an aggressive club. We performed well and got some good performances."
Smith and Rose led an excellent effort by San Antonio's bench, which scored 39 points on 18-of-32 shooting.
David Robinson scored 12 points for the Spurs, who outscored the Pistons, 46-38, in the paint.
San Antonio shot 50 percent (37-of-74) overall and made 5-of-9 3-pointers led by Steve Smith, who was perfect in three attempts from the arc.
"We are definitely a better shooting team this year," Duncan said. "But we have to get better on defense. Defense is our staple."
Detroit shot 49 percent (32-of-65) but committed 24 turnovers leading to 33 points for San Antonio.
"We shot a relatively good percentage but when you turn the ball over 24 times, it kills your defense," Detroit coach Rick Carlisle said. "I'll give San Antonio their due; I think they're underrated defensively."
The Spurs snapped a two-game slide at the Alamodome and have won two in a row overall following a season-high three-game losing streak.
Rookie Zeljko Rebraca tied his season high with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and collected seven rebounds for Detroit, which has lost its last six visits to San Antonio.
"We can, and will have to play better than we did tonight to get that road win," Carlisle said.
Corliss Williamson scored 12 points and Ben Wallace added 12 and 12 rebounds, including eight offensive, before fouling out with 3:34 to go. Jerry Stackhouse made just 2-of-9 shots and scored 13 points for the second time in three games.
"(Bruce) Bowen played great defensively against Stack," Carlisle said. "I thought Stack played with pretty good patience. They really concentrated on him."
Chucky Atkins scored nine of his 16 points in the first quarter, including four during an 11-4 run the Pistons used to close the period.
San Antonio led, 29-28, entering the second quarter and the teams exchanged the lead five times before a jumper by Antonio Daniels gave the Spurs the lead for good with 5:59 left in the first half.