Rick Scuteri / AP

San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili, left, drives past Phoenix guard Raja Bell during the Spurs' 84-81 win Thursday.

The fans got into it early, booing the Spurs on nearly every possession, and calling them "dirty,'' "whiners'' and "crybabies.'' The Suns won the first meeting this season 100-95 Dec. 17 at San Antonio, a game the Spurs played without star guard Tony Parker. Parker, averaging 19.2 points per game, again was absent in the rematch because of inflammation in his left ankle. San Antonio also was without guard Brent Barry (strained left calf), one of their 3-point specialist.

Phoenix led throughout the first half, despite shooting only 36.1 percent (13-for-36) and not hitting a field goal in the final 6:10 of the second period. Early in the second period, after scoring the first seven points of the quarter, the Suns led 32-18, but the Spurs made the final five points before halftime and chopped the lead to 40-34.

For the second quarter, the Suns made only four field goals in 17 attempts.

During the first half, the Spurs shot even worse than Phoenix, hitting only 13-of-40 for 32.5 percent. Ginobili, who scored 29 points in each of the previous two games, was scoreless, going 0-for-5, and Duncan was only 2-for-7.

The Suns were hampered early, when All-Star Stoudemire, who is averaging 22.7 points per game, picked up two personal fouls in the first 2:38. He sat out the rest of the period.

Ginobili got it going in the third period, scoring eight points, but the Suns still maintained their advantage, leading the entire way and finishing the quarter ahead 60-55.

Notes: The Spurs' Bruce Bowen holds the longest active games played and games started streak in the NBA at 481. The last game he missed was Feb. 26, 2002, against Phoenix. ... This was the Spurs' third game of a nine-game, 17-day road trip. The trip will cover 7,466 miles through the air. ... The Suns' previous low scoring output was 86 points against Utah Jan. 10. ... The Suns had a season-high 13 steals.

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