Spurs’ Guards Spark Rout Against Suns

The Phoenix Suns worried all week about how to guard forward Sean Elliott. A bigger problem turned out to be San Antonio’s backcourt.

Vinny Del Negro led the Spurs with 29 points, and point guard Avery Johnson added 18 assists and 12 points as San Antonio trounced Phoenix, 120-98, Friday night in their first-round playoff opener.

“Avery has been doing it all year long. He’s tremendous at creating and finding the open man,” said Del Negro, whose point total was the best of his career in the playoffs. “When we started to run I got some easy baskets that went in.”

Four other Spurs scored in double figures, including David Robinson with 28 points and six rebounds.

“The Spurs took us apart,” Sun Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. “Our defense has to get better. We played Vinny Del Negro well all year, but tonight he got the hot hand.”

A frustrated Charles Barkley led the Suns with 26 points on seven-for-17 shooting. He also had 12 rebounds.

“I’m glad this game is over,” Barkley said. “I wish I’d had a towel on the bench to throw in.”