Spurs rout Jazz 118-81 in NBA

SAN ANTONIO (AP):

San Antonio built a giant 46-point lead, thanks to their smothering defence, before easing up to beat Utah 118-81 on Monday night and extend their stellar start to the NBA season.

The Spurs improved to 21-5 - the second-best start in franchise history - and retained their 6-1/2 game lead in the Southwest Division.

Kawhi Leonard had 22 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker added 18 points each for the Spurs, who are 13-0 at home.

In other key games, Atlantic Division leaders Toronto had their four-game winning streak ended by Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated Detroit with a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in overtime, and Miami took a share of the Southeast Division lead with a win over slumping Atlanta.

Indiana's Jordan Hill had season highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Pacers beat Toronto 106-90. Monta Ellis had 18 points for Indiana, which went on a 39-4 run in the first half to overturn a 21-point deficit.

The Clippers edged Detroit 105-103 when Jamal Crawford hit a three-pointer with 12.4 seconds left in overtime. Blake Griffin, who finished with 34 points, made a pair of free throws with 38.8 seconds remaining to put the Clippers ahead 102-101, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tied it for the Pistons by going 1 for 2 from the foul line with 30.5 seconds left.

Reggie Jackson finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit.

Miami led comfortably throughout in winning 100-88 at Atlanta. Chris Bosh scored 24 points and Gerald Green had 20 for the Heat, who moved 1-1/2 games above their Southeast rival.

GAME-WINNING POINTS

Dallas' Chandler Parsons scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half to guide the Mavericks to a 104-94 win against Phoenix. Parsons has been on restricted duty, coming off the bench lately, following off-season knee surgery. He had eight points during a 20-4 run to finish the third quarter, when Dallas made 13 of their last 14 shots to take a 77-58 lead.

Memphis shot 56 per cent and sank 10 of 15 three-point attempts in beating Washington 112-95. Denver's Will Barton scored 23 points, including two game-sealing free throws with 13.5 seconds remaining, to give the Nuggets a 114-108 win against Houston.

Orlando claimed their first win in Brooklyn, cruising past the Nets 105-82 behind 54 per cent shooting from the field.

Portland extended their run of wins against New Orleans to seven by defeating the Pelicans 105-101, led by 30 points from Damian Lillard.

Chicago rallied from a five-point half-time deficit to beat hapless Philadelphia 115-96 and keep the 76ers winless in 15 road games.