Spurs show how it’s done

Remember the San Antonio Spurs?

They haven’t generated as much buzz as the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, but it seems it’s time to again include them in the conversation about the NBA’s best teams, especially after the Spurs extended their winning streak to nine games Monday night with an 88-74 victory over the Clippers in front of 18,655 at Staples Center.

Even playing without injured All-Star point guard Tony Parker, the Spurs were too much for the Clippers, who suffered 29- and 22-point defeats in the teams’ first two meetings. The Clippers kept things closer this time -- until Manu Ginobili got rolling.

Coming off the bench, Ginobili scored nine consecutive points and 11 overall in a 16-0 run that helped the Spurs take command, 60-40, with 2 minutes 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs (42-18) weren’t threatened in the fourth, maintaining at least an 11-point lead.

The Clippers (29-31) again failed to climb back to .500 for the first time since Feb. 9, and dropped from seventh to eighth in the Western Conference standings. Although they have remained in the playoff race to this point despite their problems, they’re not progressing as Coach Mike Dunleavy had hoped, which was clear against the formidable Spurs.

“We didn’t have the energy to match them” in the third quarter, Dunleavy said. “They came out and beat us to loose balls. They got some opportunities that gave them second chances and allowed them to stretch the lead on us.

“They were more aggressive. They got to the free-throw line more than we did. And offensively ... we just didn’t finish. They’re not going to give you many good looks in the game because they defend well. When you get them, you’ve got to score.”

The Clippers shot only 37.5% from the field. Corey Maggette led the team with 19 points, but Elton Brand scored only 15 on six-for-15 shooting and Chris Kaman (six points) missed eight of 10 shots against the tough, defense-minded Spurs.

“They’re a good team,” Kaman said. “They always have a top-notch big man and a top-notch point guard.

“They’ve been a tough team to beat for a lot of years now. You have to play the right way or you’re not going to be in the game.”

Tim Duncan scored nine points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who didn’t seem to miss Parker because backup Jacque Vaughn played well. Parker has sat out the last two games because of a hip injury, but San Antonio’s offense operated sharply Monday under the direction of Vaughn, who had 10 points and six assists.

Ginobili averaged 20 points in San Antonio’s first two victories over the Clippers -- making 14 of 21 from the field -- and he was a key performer again, leading the Spurs with 16 points on only eight field-goal attempts.

Of course, Ginobili scored 24 consecutive Spurs points during a 10-minute stretch in the first half Feb. 21 in a victory over Atlanta, so he’s used to working quickly and efficiently. The other members of the Spurs’ bench were effective too, outscoring their Clippers counterparts, 49-23.

The Clippers’ offense has been out of sync because Shaun Livingston suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury Feb. 26, and fellow point guard Sam Cassell has sat out the last three games because of a groin injury.

The team signed free-agent point guard Jason Hart before the game, and he had nine points in 25 minutes. He might be in the starting lineup for the Clippers’ next game, Friday against the Golden State Warriors at Oakland.

“Jason has good experience,” Dunleavy said. “He has played well in the NBA, so we’re very fortunate to get someone of that caliber at this point.”

jason.reid@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

* Manu Ginobili is a dynamic player. He splits double teams, has a dazzling midrange game and is shooting a career-high 41.2% from three-point range. * The Spurs’ defense. They usually limit or eliminate their opponents’ No. 1 goal on offense. Elton Brand scored only 15 points on six-for-15 shooting from the field.

* Chris Kaman disappeared against another big-time opponent. Two-for-10 shooting with a playoff berth on the line? Disappointing for a $52.5-million player.

-- JASON REID