National Basketball Association

Spurs stop Cavs' win streak at 8

Published Mar. 27, 2010 4:48 a.m. ET

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Tim Duncan walked out of the locker room with a slight limp. Tony Parker and his broken hand sneaked out way earlier.

Manu Ginobili made sure they left with a win. A big one.

Ginobili scored half of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and San Antonio beat Cleveland 102-97 on Friday night, ending the Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak that began with a home victory over the Spurs earlier this month.

"It means we're not that far from the best," Ginobili said. "Of course, it's just a game, and at home. But it makes us feel better."

After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Ginobili was still stung that the Spurs couldn't beat both conference leaders back-to-back. But in what will likely be the worst regular-season for the Spurs in the Duncan era, they'll take this one.

LeBron James had 27 points for Cleveland, but the Cavs watched their second-longest winning streak slip away with six scoreless possessions down the stretch.

James misfired twice and turned the ball over on half of those possessions. His frustrating fourth quarter included tumbling to the baseline after losing the basketball - when Ginobili, fittingly, hooked his left arm around to knock it away.

"I've seen every coverage before, so I've got past the frustration stage," James said. "They did a good job of keeping bodies in front of bodies, sometimes double-teams, sometimes trapping."

James had 11 points in the fourth, but it was Ginobili's quarter. He shot 4 of 7, including two 3-pointers and a stretch of four straight Spurs baskets.

It was the third 30-point game for Ginobili since being forced into the starting lineup this month when Parker broke his hand March 6.