Spurs 111, Hornets 84

SAN ANTONIO (AP) _ Michael Finley scored 18 points as the San Antonio Spurs avenged an earlier loss by beating New Orleans 111-to-84 in Texas. <br/><br/>The Hornets made nine of their first 13 shots --

Friday, December 30th 2005, 6:20 am

By: News On 6

SAN ANTONIO (AP) _ Michael Finley scored 18 points as the San Antonio Spurs avenged an earlier loss by beating New Orleans 111-to-84 in Texas.

The Hornets made nine of their first 13 shots -- the last one a 3 by JR Smith -- to take a 20-to-15 lead midway through Thursday night's opening period.

New Orleans then missed 10 of their next 11 attempts as San Antonio went on a 20-to-2 run to build a 35-22 lead. Tim Duncan started the run with a turnaround jump hook, and Manu Ginobili and Finley ended it with consecutive 3's.

After their early success, the Hornets shot 36 percent from the floor the rest of the way and committed 17 turnovers.

Duncan added 17 points for San Antonio, while Tony Parker had 16 and Ginobili 14.

David West was the only Hornets player in double figures with 18 points. Chris Paul finished with six on 3-for-12 shooting.