Spurs Stopped Cold by 76ers

Tim Duncan attempted San Antonio’s first eight free throws and missed them all.

And after struggling from the free-throw line in the first half, the Spurs managed only nine baskets in the second half Saturday and their winning streak came to an end at 13 games with an 83-77 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

San Antonio’s streak dated to early December and was the longest in the NBA this season.

Eric Snow scored 18 of his 20 points and Derrick Coleman had 12 of his season-high 20 points in the second half for Philadelphia, which was playing its 10th game in a row without top scorer Allen Iverson (bruised right knee).

Duncan, who scored 11 points and had 13 rebounds, did not make a basket in the second half. He made three of 13 free-throw attempts.

Philadelphia ended a road losing streak at four games and earned its first victory in San Antonio since Jan. 6, 1986, when the 76er roster included Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Bobby Jones and Mo Cheeks.

“Our whole thing was coming out here and getting a consistent effort,” Snow said. “We never even talked about them winning 13 straight or us not having won here in like 17 years. That never came up.”

Coleman keyed the 76er defense, which forced the Spurs to rely on outside shooting by collapsing on Duncan whenever he got the ball inside. Coleman also had 11 rebounds.

“We’re a lot better ballclub when he plays the way he did tonight,” 76er Coach Randy Ayers said. “We got great leadership out of Coleman.”

San Antonio shot nearly 50% in the first half, but made only nine of 30 shots in the second half. After Duncan missed his first eight free throws, the Spurs were 19 of 23 the rest of the way to stay in contention.

“They were more physical and more aggressive in every way on the court,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “They took the win and they deserved the win.”

Asked if a six-day layoff might have left the Spurs flat, Popovich said: “That’s baloney. The last thing I want any of these guys to do is use that as an excuse.”

One excuse, however, was the absence of one of San Antonio’s best shooters. Manu Ginobili left in the first quarter because of a lower back strain and did not return. He had five points.

Bruce Bowen said the 76ers’ physical play had affected the Spurs’ offensive rhythm.

“We’re used to getting up and down [the court],” he said.

“We got caught up in the thought that we were getting pushed around a little bit.”